1
as in poking
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object
kept prodding the sheep with a staff to move along faster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in urging
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
a public outcry eventually prodded the politicians into action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prodding
As Denji grapples with his growing feelings for her despite his loyalty to Makima, Reze begins prodding him to consider his place in Public Safety, and whether a teenager should really be put in the position of risking his life for the bare minimum of food and shelter.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
In some cases, like my request for headache tips, bots end their messages with prodding follow-up questions.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
Wissa was an important signing, someone to take the pressure off Woltemade while simultaneously prodding him.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
In some cases, like my request for headache tips, bots end their messages with prodding follow-up questions.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
Wissa was an important signing, someone to take the pressure off Woltemade while simultaneously prodding him.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodding
Verb
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Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
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Matthew McConaughey is poking fun at himself.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Porat closed by urging leaders to really dig in and reimagine what’s possible in their own organizations.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Forecasters are urging travelers to check state road condition websites before setting out, as snow and ice are likely on high-elevation roads and mountain passes.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nelson may have guessed correctly on the president digging his heels into tariffs seven years on from his first term, but the taxes may not be around for much longer.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
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When digging, be careful not to cut through the tubers or bruise the spuds with rough handling.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In low, incantatory voices, the lamas were reading from The Tibetan Book of the Dead, encouraging my grandmother to move forward without fear in the bardo between death and rebirth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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But rather than responding with anger, the university’s president, Astrid Tuminez, is encouraging dialogue.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Beijing’s talent-friendly move could also give it a boost amid continuing trade tensions and tech rivalries with Washington, which has imposed export controls on chips and other advanced technology that are spurring China to develop its own.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
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Norfolk Southern continues to use the rail for freight, but Mooresville’s affordability and proximity to both Charlotte and Lake Norman is spurring big growth.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead, the director Scott Cooper’s film turns on Landau recognizing that the tracks reflect Springsteen confronting inner darkness—including his conflicted feelings about his father and his fear of his growing fame—and nudging the musician to realize his need for further help.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
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Ultimately, Grapski said Praia's goal is to continue to improve nudging capabilities to get more engagement and reduce pain points across healthcare.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Usiripalli is accused of stabbing two 17-year-old boys, one in the shoulder area and one in the back of the head, with the same metal fork while on a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt on Saturday, according to the news release.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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No information on the stabbing party has been released.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Anthropic’s Claude wanted to know whether my headache was tension-related, due to sinus pressure, or something else entirely—hardly a goading question.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodding. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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