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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of prod
Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
His latest move is a 100% import tax on brand-name pharmaceuticals, part of a campaign to prod companies to manufacture drugs in the United States.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
In an entry hall, kites overhead, frozen mid-swoop, are by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian Brit who works in batik as a prod at colonialism.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Verb
The Gilbert family prodded the authorities to continue searching for Shannan Gilbert, and on December 13, 2011, her remains were found in the Oak Beach marshlands.
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
His latest move is a 100% import tax on brand-name pharmaceuticals, part of a campaign to prod companies to manufacture drugs in the United States.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
In response to my prod, the bot merely teeters.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
In an entry hall, kites overhead, frozen mid-swoop, are by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian Brit who works in batik as a prod at colonialism.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod
Verb
-
When Andrei Vasilevskiy tried to poke the puck away, Bolduc had moved so deep into the crease area that the puck went off him and into the net for his first career playoff goal.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The host also poked fun at the Trumps’ living separately despite being married for 22 years.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
With the new dietary guidelines urging a boost in daily protein, especially red meat, high-fiber foods might get left behind.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beginning with the stimulus of a cup or two of strong coffee, fifteen-year-old Columbia College sophomore George Templeton Strong started a diary in 1835.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The project aims to produce materials that change their mechanical properties and shape in response to external light stimuli.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That collapse is spurred not just by Napoleon, but also outside pressure from the human-run Pilkington Corporation, intent on reclaiming the freedom that these precious cartoon animals just seized.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Emergency funding used to temporarily pay agency staff was set to run out, prompting warnings of potential airport disruptions and spurring the House to finally act.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The authors stress the need for a robust public domain for information and for IP to be fairly applied alongside the public domain in order to encourage economic growth and innovation.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Together, Venus and Pluto create a blend of seductive charm, substance and intellectual stimulation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Wiseman hypothesized that stronger magnetic fields may affect the brain, similar to how electrical stimulation of the angular gyrus can make one feel as if there is another person standing behind, mimicking one’s movements.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Marcus Semien hit a chopper down the left side, which Jorbit Vivas stabbed at wildly while missing it badly.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Police in Antioch are investigating after a man was fatally stabbed during an altercation at home over the weekend.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Benson continues asking questions about the victim, Jasmyn nudges a sign that shows her prices for autographs and pictures and says that her time is valuable.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
