prodding

verb

Definition of proddingnext
present participle of prod
1
as in poking
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object kept prodding the sheep with a staff to move along faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in urging
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodding
  1. poking
  2. urging
  3. encouraging
  4. spurring
  5. stabbing
  6. punching
Verb
  • Only two small wedges are visible, poking up through the ground at adjacent graves.
    Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Take Kule’s for example—the red stripes would look so chic poking out from beneath a tonal knit or ladylike jacket.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of poking
Verb
  • But some went further, urging people to actively undermine the investigation.
    Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Progressives are urging the incoming chairperson, to be decided by Democrats next year, to establish a committee that would help state campaigns and committees limit or eliminate dark money in primaries.
    Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of urging
Verb
  • The philosophy prioritizes profit over growth, encouraging businesses to optimize existing resources and reactivate past customer connections.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In light of these statistics, organizations are increasingly pushing consumers toward chatbots, emails and FAQs, encouraging customers to figure out their own problems.
    Todd Fisher, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • According to the firm, the iterative process has grounded the project in real-world applications while spurring technological innovation.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Additionally, the onshoring trend is heightening demand for industrial and multifamily real estate while spurring job growth in emerging manufacturing hubs across numerous Sun Belt markets, including Phoenix and Austin.
    Richard Mack, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of spurring
Verb
  • Jaylen Reeves family pushes back against claims of self-defense in fatal stabbing Black-footed ferrets reintroduced to Arizona for first time in nearly 30 years Mild Arizona weather expected through Black Friday, holiday weekend.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2024
  • Humane Society Yavapai Humane Society Jaylen Reeves family pushes back against claims of self-defense in fatal stabbing Black-footed ferrets reintroduced to Arizona for first time in nearly 30 years Mild Arizona weather expected through Black Friday, holiday weekend.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
Definition of stabbing
Verb
  • Advertisement In 2022, a woman filed for a restraining order against Sweeting, accusing her of punching her repeatedly in the head and kicking her in the chest.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
  • During an interview with detectives, Lambeth admitted to punching, stomping and strangling Howells, court documents stated.
    Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of punching
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near prodding

prodders

prodding

prodigal

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Prodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodding. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prodding

Nglish: Translation of prodding for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of prodding for Arabic Speakers

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