1
as in causes
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 urges
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 prompts
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026
West recalls a conversation in which Aham, who is Black, tacitly implies that monogamy is a form of colonialism or even slavery—which prompts West to consider whether her resistance to polyamory is a result of her own white privilege.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
Towey suggests trying something a little different on your next long-haul and downloading an app like Timeshifter, which prompts you to take small actions at specific times—like seeing bright light or avoiding caffeine—to adjust your circadian rhythm to a new time zone.
—Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Splitting up conference rivals for the early rounds sometimes prompts the tournament committee to juggle the seedings.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
How Nicotine Affects the Body Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant that prompts the brain’s reward center to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, triggering feelings of pleasure and improving mood.
—Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Older canes produce smaller berries, so removing them prompts new growth and, ultimately, better fruit.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
An Arsenal throw-in on their right-hand side, in the 14th minute, prompts chants of ‘Same old Arsenal, always cheating’ as the clock ticks away.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Fans who want to be among the first to know can call (430) 789-9797 and follow the text message prompts to sign up for updates.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
This prompts James and Soames to plot Jo’s ousting from the company so Soames may assume the role of chairman.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026
West recalls a conversation in which Aham, who is Black, tacitly implies that monogamy is a form of colonialism or even slavery—which prompts West to consider whether her resistance to polyamory is a result of her own white privilege.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
Towey suggests trying something a little different on your next long-haul and downloading an app like Timeshifter, which prompts you to take small actions at specific times—like seeing bright light or avoiding caffeine—to adjust your circadian rhythm to a new time zone.
—Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Splitting up conference rivals for the early rounds sometimes prompts the tournament committee to juggle the seedings.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
How Nicotine Affects the Body Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant that prompts the brain’s reward center to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, triggering feelings of pleasure and improving mood.
—Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Older canes produce smaller berries, so removing them prompts new growth and, ultimately, better fruit.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
An Arsenal throw-in on their right-hand side, in the 14th minute, prompts chants of ‘Same old Arsenal, always cheating’ as the clock ticks away.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Fans who want to be among the first to know can call (430) 789-9797 and follow the text message prompts to sign up for updates.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
The good news is that depending on how your prompts are worded, there is a solid chance that GPT-5 will select one of the GPT-5 submodels that will do a bang-up job of answering your prompt.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prompts
Verb
-
All parts of giant hogweed contain the phototoxic chemical that causes burns, including the flowers and seeds.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That’s what causes the death of the soul, the death of the self.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While a watch urges vigilance and planning, a warning means immediate action is needed to stay safe and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Mars in your sign urges you to be fast and sassy.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Logic suggested that when these instructions were followed, the parasite should produce similar amounts of each protein.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Repeat 3 to 5 times, or as many times as the instructions recommend.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inside, a central ramp—which spirals upward and outward from one exhibition floor to the next—creates an open interior space, flooded with daylight that pours in through a glass dome.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That creates an opportunity for automation.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Haller encourages anyone with an early or strong family history of colon cancer to talk to their doctor and get screened even earlier.—
Emily McLeod,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As Adam reenters the dating world, his sister encourages him to view it as a fresh start, and scenic designer Milo Bue visually evokes the idea of a blank slate by employing off-whites and greys for Adam’s studio apartment in New York City.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
State deposit schedules don’t always align with the federal timeline but QuickBooks Payroll includes helpful reminders when any tax payments are due.—
Kat Boogaard,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Nearly 66 years later, many Cypriots — including Christodoulides — regard the bases as reminders of their colonial past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All pitchers agree that the guy holding the bat generates crucial data that a pitcher ignores at his peril.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Just mentioning Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson generates a range of opinions.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Zhdanov and his team calculated the depth of this possible reservoir by flying a helicopter that was kitted out with electromagnetic equipment over a section of the of the lake and combined these observations with magnetic measurements to study the structure of the reservoir.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Here are my observations on the 52-year-old stadium, which could be left behind in favor of a new location in the near future.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prompts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prompts. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
