prodded; prodding
2
: to poke or stir as if with a prod
: to urge someone on
prodder
noun
1
: a pointed instrument used to prod
2
: an incitement to act
needed a few prods to remember her lines
chiefly Ireland, often disparaging + offensive
Synonyms
Examples of prod in a Sentence
Verb
She prodded him in the ribs to get his attention.
She was prodded into joining the team.
Noun (1)
She gave him a sharp prod in the back.
He picked up a stick and used it as a prod to get the donkey moving.
He needed a few prods to remember his lines.
She called me and gave me a prod about finishing the report.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
The judge prodded prosecutors to turn over fingerprint, cellphone, photo, video and other evidence from the FBI and Spanish National Police to Knezevich’s defense team.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Breast of Both Worlds Reversible Comfort Bra Nobody likes a bra that pokes and prods, and this ribbed wireless bra is the exact opposite.
—Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prod 
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show current usage.
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Verb
If the Fed does lower rates sooner than expected, investors may wonder if officials were prodded to do so by Trump.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
The judge prodded prosecutors to turn over fingerprint, cellphone, photo, video and other evidence from the FBI and Spanish National Police to Knezevich’s defense team.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
During the campaign, Trump vowed to impose 60% tariffs on Chinese imports and 10% levies on shipments from all other countries to prod manufacturers to move production back to the U.S.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Breast of Both Worlds Reversible Comfort Bra Nobody likes a bra that pokes and prods, and this ribbed wireless bra is the exact opposite.
—Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prod
Dictionary Entries Near prod
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prod. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prod
1 of 2 verb
prodded; prodding
1
: to poke with something
2
: to stir a person or animal to action
kept prodding me to reveal the secret
prodder
noun
prod
2 of 2 noun1
: something used for prodding
2
: an act of prodding : a sharp urging or reminder
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