Synonyms of prompt

prompt 1 of 3

verb

ˈpräm(p)t 

1

as in to cause

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

a misguided pride prompted the family to refuse all offers of help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cause
• create
• generate
• bring
• do
• produce
• work
• induce
• invoke
• yield
• spawn
• make
• effect
• effectuate
• encourage
• bring about
• result (in)
• draw on
• catalyze
• engender
• give rise to
• translate (into)
• occasion
• found
• beget
• introduce
• initiate
• bring forth
• bring on
• promote
• contribute (to)
• begin
• start
• launch
• inaugurate
• establish
• determine
• breed
• decide
• set up
• forward
• develop
• pioneer
• foster
• render
• enact
• further
• institute
• set
• cultivate
• advance
• conduce (to)
• turn out
• innovate
• nurture
• father
• nourish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrict
• limit
• impede
• suppress
• check
• quash
• quell
• stifle
• restrain
• control
• dampen
• subdue
• put down
• repress
• inhibit
• arrest
• crush
• smother
• curb
• retard
• kill
• can
• rein (in)
• squelch
• crack down (on)
• destroy
• still
• clamp down (on)
• squash
• extinguish
• abolish
• liquidate
• quench
• demolish
• snuff (out)

2

as in to urge

to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

prompted the reluctant performer onto the stage with loud cheers and whistles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urge
• encourage
• nudge
• spur
• exhort
• goad
• egg (on)
• push
• prod
• coax
• stimulate
• press
• provoke
• propel
• drive
• hurry
• implore
• rush
• beseech
• importune
• pressure
• incite
• cajole
• instigate
• adjure
• hustle
• stir (up)
• needle
• wheedle
• foment
• nag
• high-pressure
• soft-soap
• blandish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• deter
• check
• dissuade
• restrain
• brake
• inhibit
• curb
• constrain
• hold back

prompt

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay

prompt treatment of snakebites is always advisable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immediate
• swift
• timely
• quick
• speedy
• punctual
• early
• ready
• willing
• apt
• opportune
• seasonable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belated
• late
• tardy
• overdue
• delinquent
• delayed
• slow
• behind
• detained
• dilatory
• latish
• laggard
• behindhand

2

as in quick

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation

our waiter was prompt and courteous despite the fact that the restaurant was understaffed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quick
• swift
• immediate
• willing
• responsive
• ready
• expeditious
• alert
• rapid
• brisk
• alacritous
• instantaneous
• clever
• fast
• summary
• keen
• receptive
• eager
• speedy
• instant
• sharp
• smart
• lightning
• apt
• rattling
• snappy
• breathless
• fleet
• whirlwind
• rapid-fire
• breakneck
• quick-witted
• fleet-footed
• hit-and-run
• sharp-witted
• ready-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unresponsive
• slow
• tardy
• unhurried
• sluggish
• dragging
• leisurely
• dilatory
• lazy
• creeping
• lagging
• slothful
• crawling
• pokey
• poking
• laggard
• idle
• poky
• slowish
• inactive
• dallying
• logy
• dormant
• dawdling
• inert
• lazyish
• dillydallying
• loggy

prompt

3 of 3

noun

as in reminder

Related Words

• reminder
• instruction
• feedback
• brief
• solution
• observation
• answer
• assistance
• urging
• direction
• warning
• clue
• recommendation
• sign
• signal
• advice
• suggestion
• guidance
• cautioning
• tip-off
• counsel
• tip
• advisement
• caution
• lead
• pointer
• telltale
• hint

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prompt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prompt are apt, quick, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is apt a more appropriate choice than prompt?

The meanings of apt and prompt largely overlap; however, apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student

her answer was apt and to the point

In what contexts can quick take the place of prompt?

Although the words quick and prompt have much in common, quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes

a keen quick mind

Where would ready be a reasonable alternative to prompt?

The words ready and prompt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prompt

Verb

Sora allows users to generate short videos for free by typing in a prompt. —Jeniece Pettitt,julia Boorstin, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025

In August, Google AI reported that the energy consumed for each prompt on its Gemini AI platform was 33 times smaller than one year before. —Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The decision prompted backlash from the leaders of the United Kingdom’s three major political parties, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. —Luke Bosher, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Viewers online flooded her Threads post with title suggestions, prompting her to compile and share a running list on Substack, updated regularly with new books and age categories. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

Noun

The new hire will be responsible for developing product strategy for Netflix’s core Productivity Assistant experience, conducting user research to understand workforce needs, and experimenting with prompt engineering and conversational interfaces. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

When Seedance and Seedream came out, his team conducted internal testing to compare their prompt adherence, image quality, speed, and cost to American competitors. —Andrew R. Chow, Time, 1 Oct. 2025