1
as in brushing
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past
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2
as in urging
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of nudging
OpenAI, for example, added a feature to ChatGPT in August that encourages users to take breaks after using the tool for extended periods of time instead of nudging them to keep responding.
—
Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Five‑generation workforces that tap older adults as talent, mentors, and innovators instead of nudging them to the sidelines.
—Ken Dychtwald, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
There is no bidding war, no incremental raises, and definitely no call from a specialist nudging you higher.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
This external stripping accelerates the heating and expansion of the dwarf galaxy, nudging it toward that dynamical attractor even faster.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Crappies are quite capable of inhaling your entire jig without even nudging the float.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
By nudging or priming people with these human-like cues, then that shifts us more into the warmth dimension.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
That’s like a flower scrupulously nudging out from between sidewalk slabs, a breath of fresh air.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Five‑generation workforces that tap older adults as talent, mentors, and innovators instead of nudging them to the sidelines.
—Ken Dychtwald, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
There is no bidding war, no incremental raises, and definitely no call from a specialist nudging you higher.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
This external stripping accelerates the heating and expansion of the dwarf galaxy, nudging it toward that dynamical attractor even faster.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Crappies are quite capable of inhaling your entire jig without even nudging the float.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
By nudging or priming people with these human-like cues, then that shifts us more into the warmth dimension.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
That’s like a flower scrupulously nudging out from between sidewalk slabs, a breath of fresh air.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudging
Verb
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Moesenthin said her favorite part was brushing the horses.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Aveda’s Brilliant Damage Control is our top heat-shielding pick that also strengthens hair from within (thanks, wheat protein) and prevents breakage caused by brushing, combing, and styling.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shortly after the ruling, Republicans were urging a review of their congressional maps in Louisiana, Tennessee and elsewhere.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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On Monday, Bloomberg News reported that around 600 Google workers sent a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai urging him to refuse new AI partnerships with the Pentagon.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even more damning photos were published Thursday, which appear to show the pair kissing at a New York bar in early 2020.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Patriots coach breaks silence on affair scandal after kissing photos leak.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The state has tried to get upstream from abuse and neglect, raising awareness of resources and encouraging the general community to support families, said Thomas Miller, director of children, aging and community services at the Colorado Department of Human Services.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Parents and pediatricians can advocate for child pedestrian safety by supporting and encouraging community programs with resources offered through organizations such as Safe Routes to School.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudging. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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