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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prodding
The irascible Cox has spent years prodding Day-Lewis in interviews over his acting techniques, largely as a way of explaining his irritation with Succession co-star (and Day-Lewis’s fellow Method actor) Jeremy Strong.
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodding
Verb
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Tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared.—
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There are also dual Akrapvoic exhausts poking out the rear, framed by slim taillights.—
Verb
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Crime Stoppers is urging the public not to approach the suspect, who should be considered armed and dangerous.—
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Economic risk from China dispute Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry issued a statement on Saturday urging regional election committees to start preparing in case of an early election.—
Verb
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This Heat lineup opened Saturday’s game by digging itself in a 17-9 hole before Spoelstra made his first substitution of the night.—
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Driven by the childhood memory of a murder near her home, McNamara spent years as an armchair sleuth, digging through records to try and solve cold cases, especially that of the Golden State Killer.—
Verb
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There was a lot to like about Jovic’s performance on Saturday, with Heat veteran guard Norman Powell pushing and encouraging him along the way.—
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Verb
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Late last year, the leader of Tesla and the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, secured a $1 trillion pay package at his EV company, spurring criticism of the growing wealth divide between the world’s wealthiest and poorest workers.—
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Across the region, heavy-handed American tactics will risk spurring backlash and unintended consequences.—
Verb
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With charming Venus in your subtle 12th house nudging lucky Jupiter in your dutiful 6th house, your time will be best spent in quiet, practical actions.—
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With food inflation nudging menu prices higher, and GLP-1s transforming eating habits, a pizzeria’s true takeout rival may no longer be the other Tony’s across the street, but rather the nutrient-rich bowl slop from Uber Eats.—
Verb
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Later that month, another jury said Rafael Andres should be sent back to Florida’s Death Row for beating, stabbing and strangling a La Carreta waitress with a rice cooker cord in 2005.—
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Cincinnati crime fell under the microscope after the viral brawl in July and the stabbing death of an Over-the-Rhine resident and business owner in his own home.—
Verb
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Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.—
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The mind thrills to imagine a genderless prophet among the brocades and buckskin breeches of Revolutionary America, weirding out the normies, sticking a flower in the barrel of a musket, and goading the new nation to let its hair down—literally.—
Cite this Entry
“Prodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodding. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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