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
Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Guest used his column to prod politicians and rally the community to bring the NBA to town.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 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
Republicans heaped praise on Bondi and prodded her to articulate her plans to help secure the border and keep America safe from foreign threats.
—Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Guest used his column to prod politicians and rally the community to bring the NBA to town.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 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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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
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Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
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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Provide opportunities for professional growth, encourage open feedback, and show appreciation for hard work.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Gaga recently updated her website to include a cryptic game, where users are encouraged to click and drag across a sea of floating letters to reveal short sentences, which fans believe to be lyrics off her forthcoming album.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jevon Tyrese Fletcher, 26, is accused of stabbing the victims multiple times inside an apartment in the 400 block of Meloy Road Saturday night, NBC Connecticut reported.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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An off-duty Cal Fire captain was found fatally stabbed inside her Ramona home Monday evening, and sheriff’s detectives are investigating the homicide as a possible domestic violence case, officials said.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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Targeted retaliation is designed to give supporters of Donald Trump an incentive to try to persuade him to deescalate any trade war.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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