1
2
as in to urge
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
as in stimulus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prod
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
There are only one or two overt villains, and even they get poked and prodded in ways that add dimension to their lizard brains.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 18 July 2024
Still, while onstage, Ben couldn’t help but prod at the memory of Nicole choosing Sam over him.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prod
Verb
Thirty years after a Los Angeles jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, the case is still being poked and prodded under the microscope of curious filmmakers.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
There are only one or two overt villains, and even they get poked and prodded in ways that add dimension to their lizard brains.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
Another consideration: If the Padres play themselves out of contention in the next 10 days, would ownership prod Preller to explore a sell-off involving the likes of Ha-Seong Kim and Luis Arraez?
—Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 18 July 2024
Still, while onstage, Ben couldn’t help but prod at the memory of Nicole choosing Sam over him.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod
Verb
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The Doctor Who star poked fun at Trump during his remarks, earning loud applause from an audience packed with Hollywood stars.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
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First, Murray poked fun at how there has only been one Black anchor of the segment: Michael Che, who has had the role alongside Jost since 2014.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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In the continued fight for racial justice and amid reinvigorated efforts to erase Black contributions to American history, Wells would urge activists to be steadfast in speaking truth into the world and advocating relentlessly for a more racially just America.—
Amy Gais / Made by History,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Deal-making activity in China ramps up Merger and acquisition deals in China are starting to rebound as Beijing’s stimulus measures start to bear fruit, while pressure from Donald Trump’s tariffs is also driving industry consolidation.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
19 Feb. 2025
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The other half, to set up a community advisory panel to help operate the monitors and publish the results, is coming from the federal government’s COVID-19 stimulus spending.—
John Lippert,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These minerals in turn may have spurred nutrient cycling in the oceans, boosting the metabolism of microbial life.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
28 Feb. 2025
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Some institutes immediately began sending out awards: Lauer’s email spurred one institute, a current official told me, to process 100 grants in a single afternoon.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Nope, although Google does encourage all users to switch from passwords and traditional 2FA to the use of passkeys, of course.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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Officials encourage Carolinians to stay informed through official emergency sources and call 911 to report any immediate threats.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Listen to this article A 58-year-old man was stabbed in the back of his shoulder and bitten on the top of his head while onboard an L train in Brooklyn, police said Friday.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
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He is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the brutal stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps our bee friend will nudge it out of the way.—
New York Times Games,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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Lindholm nudged him back, just before Morgan Geekie ripped the tying one-timer into the net with 1:11 remaining in regulation.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Moscow returning to Western diplomatic forums could also be an incentive but any meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents should only be offered in exchange for genuine progress toward ending the war, the Quincy Institute said.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Yet the larger rewards for men may create incentives for women to clock even longer hours to progress in their careers.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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