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
Hugh Son, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
In 2021, several environmental groups prodded the National Park Service into adopting a new general management plan amendment for Point Reyes National Seashore.
—Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
Federal regulators are confronting a new twist in drug development: manufacturers that include software with the medicine to prod patients to take pills as directed, manage side effects or track how well a treatment works.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prod 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Behind the scenes, regulators have been prodding banks with confidential orders to improve capital levels.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
In 2021, several environmental groups prodded the National Park Service into adopting a new general management plan amendment for Point Reyes National Seashore.
—Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
Still, while onstage, Ben couldn’t help but prod at the memory of Nicole choosing Sam over him.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
Federal regulators are confronting a new twist in drug development: manufacturers that include software with the medicine to prod patients to take pills as directed, manage side effects or track how well a treatment works.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 29 Oct. 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 25 Dec. 2024.
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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