1
as in caused
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urged
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prompted
The breach prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order as authorities worked to secure the installation.
—
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Those attacks prompted a forceful Israeli response targeting Lebanon.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Buenik walked two and hit a batter to load the bases in the seventh, which prompted Thompson to turn to McKnight.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
The Middle East conflict prompted the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of global oil supply.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 June 2026
The Dodgers’ franchise cornerstone was dealing with swelling on the back of his left knee during Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which prompted Roberts to remove him from the game and ensure that the issue did not escalate.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026
That prompted several large financial institutions to request early access to such models.
—Anjana Susarla, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
The display prompted an investigation by the Secret Service.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 12 June 2026
Those advances prompted some in the administration to reevaluate the approach that Krishnan and other advisers with Silicon Valley ties have promoted.
—Cat Zakrzewski The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2026
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Those attacks prompted a forceful Israeli response targeting Lebanon.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Buenik walked two and hit a batter to load the bases in the seventh, which prompted Thompson to turn to McKnight.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
The Middle East conflict prompted the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of global oil supply.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 June 2026
The Dodgers’ franchise cornerstone was dealing with swelling on the back of his left knee during Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which prompted Roberts to remove him from the game and ensure that the issue did not escalate.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026
That prompted several large financial institutions to request early access to such models.
—Anjana Susarla, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
The display prompted an investigation by the Secret Service.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 12 June 2026
Those advances prompted some in the administration to reevaluate the approach that Krishnan and other advisers with Silicon Valley ties have promoted.
—Cat Zakrzewski The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prompted
Verb
-
Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness caused when spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum enter an infant’s digestive tract and produce toxins which attack nerves, leading to muscular and respiratory paralysis.—
Victoria Forster,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Motorists suffered car accidents caused by icy roads.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Officials in Hood County, Texas, for example, rejected a proposal for a six-month moratorium after a state senator urged the Texas attorney general to intervene and prevent the measure.—
Rachel Mural,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
-
Van Diggelen urged her colleagues to be open to diverse conversations and understand that men and women operate differently.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Substitutions brought fresh life to Switzerland's team in the second half, and those subs scored three goals in a matter of minutes — two by Johan Manzambi and one by Rubén Vargas.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
In December 2024, Mangione pleaded not guilty to state murder, weapons and forgery charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
-
Although the concept encouraged spaces that felt open, airy, and perfectly curated, in practice, the trend was anything but practical.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
The dam is one of three that created the boating and fishing lake in the early 1900s.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
This horoscope was generated automatically using information from Sanctuary.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Swells generated by Arthur are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next day or two.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The sitcom's success even spawned the prequel series Young Sheldon in 2017, which explored the childhood of Sheldon Cooper and introduced the franchise to a new generation of fans.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
Tornadoes, spawned by warm moist air rising and colliding with cooling jet streams, can level forests within minutes.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The two men then said Smollett paid them to stage the attack, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report; the charges were later dropped after Smollett paid a fine and did community service.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prompted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prompted. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
