1
as in brushed
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urged
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the car salesman nudged me into taking a test-drive, even though I had said that I was just looking
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 nudged
Creating rentals aided lower-income families and nudged rents down.
—
Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
June was restated to show a net job loss of 13,000—the first decline since 2020—while July’s gain was nudged higher, leaving overall employment 21,000 lower than previously reported.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The central bank has nudged up its short-term policy rate and scaled back bond-buying operations, all signaling that keeping yields contained will be a tough ask.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
The illusion of infinite choice online masks a narrowing of exposure to new ideas — millions scrolling different feeds, but being nudged toward the same few ways of thinking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Those who were nudged toward valuing youthfulness saw more of it in themselves and in their friends.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Powell’s comments on Friday nudged major brokerages to revise their expectations, with Barclays, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank currently seeing a 25-basis-point reduction in borrowing costs next month.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Virgo energy is methodical, so you’re being nudged to address the habits that drain you versus the ones that truly heal you.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
The latter was a delightful car, comprising only a modest four-cylinder engine that, at its best, barely nudged 100 hp.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025
Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
June was restated to show a net job loss of 13,000—the first decline since 2020—while July’s gain was nudged higher, leaving overall employment 21,000 lower than previously reported.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The central bank has nudged up its short-term policy rate and scaled back bond-buying operations, all signaling that keeping yields contained will be a tough ask.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
The illusion of infinite choice online masks a narrowing of exposure to new ideas — millions scrolling different feeds, but being nudged toward the same few ways of thinking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Those who were nudged toward valuing youthfulness saw more of it in themselves and in their friends.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Powell’s comments on Friday nudged major brokerages to revise their expectations, with Barclays, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank currently seeing a 25-basis-point reduction in borrowing costs next month.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Virgo energy is methodical, so you’re being nudged to address the habits that drain you versus the ones that truly heal you.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
The latter was a delightful car, comprising only a modest four-cylinder engine that, at its best, barely nudged 100 hp.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudged
Verb
-
The two asked around but brushed off the messages as a prank.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
-
According to her, the girlfriend brushed off the refusal and signaled her annoyance.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
China urged the United States on Friday to address their dispute through dialogue.—
AFP,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Authorities have not yet revealed the full details of how Robinson was detained, but multiple reports suggested that his father urged him to surrender after recognizing his son in the grainy surveillance footage released by police.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No one mentions Kyle at all, though not hours before, Solène cuddled him in his cabin and kissed him goodnight.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Adolescence star Erin Doherty won her first Emmy, and kissed her girlfriend on the way up to the stage.—
James Factora,
Them.,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In his acceptance speech, Cooper revealed only started drama classes a couple of years ago and encouraged those watching to step out of their comfort zones.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In recent years, as American moms have been enthusiastically encouraged to breastfeed, many experts have emphasized that making sure infants are fed, period, should be parents’ highest priority.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nudged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudged. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share