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
Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
This time, the captors did not prod the hostages to offer them thanks.
—Johnatan Reiss, New York Times, 16 Feb. 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
Verb
The Biden administration, prodded by the panicked Europeans, switched from offering Zelensky safe passage to offering military support and managing a military alliance.
—Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
This time, the captors did not prod the hostages to offer them thanks.
—Johnatan Reiss, New York Times, 16 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod
Verb
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Mary Fowler momentarily looks down and holds up a very neat yellow square of knitting to the camera, two wooden needles poking out either side.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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During the incident, Konig also allegedly attempted to poke the woman with two syringes, Hawaii News Now reported, citing law enforcement sources.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Don’t Stay In Environments That Don’t Support Gender Parity Dr. Thomas urges women to assess whether staying in toxic environments is worth the emotional toll.—
Gena Cox,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Police urged any potential witnesses to submit video footage of the shooting or of people with guns.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This brain activity leads to the provocative conclusion that people with fibromyalgia don’t simply have lower thresholds for reporting a stimulus as painful.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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In fact, leading economists agree that health care price transparency will free up $1 trillion in our economy every year, generating an enormous economic stimulus while reining in the runaway costs plaguing businesses nationwide.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Georgios and his peers were spurred to action in December after a Christmas tree was lit on fire in Al-Sqailbiyyah, just outside Hama.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
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Rilling's interest in finance was spurred by her father.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On April 5, disenfranchised Americans are being encouraged to protest the Trump administration's policies as part of a national movement in myriad cities, hosted by a group of older Americans called Third Act.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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While some children have been exposed to its harmful gel through everyday play, a TikTok trend has made matters worse, encouraging kids to microwave the toy, sometimes with devastating consequences.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The rookie hero, opening beer bottles with his eye socket, pulling out his own tooth with pliers, and being stabbed by a fan in Mexico wielding a pen, made news everywhere.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Police said the victim got into an argument with four teen boys and was then stabbed.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kansas erased an 11-point, second-half deficit and nudged ahead 65-64 on a follow shot by Storr with less than six minutes remaining.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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That followed a report Wednesday indicating that the consumer price rate had nudged lower as well, providing some welcome news amid concerns that the Trump tariffs would aggravate inflation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Europe and China both have incentives to step up, for different reasons and with different priorities.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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The contract, Schefter said, could be worth up to $7 million with incentives.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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