NUDGE Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

nudge 1 of 2

verb

ˈnəj

Definition of nudge

as in to brush

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to urge

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nudge

2 of 2

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 nudge

Verb

Experts shared some practical tips for nudging your teen in the right direction. — Parents, 10 Aug. 2026 Suddenly, listings could reach far beyond the local neighborhood, nudging open the door to what had long been a niche corner of second-hand shopping. — Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

The arm acts like a long lever, so even a gentle nudge at its tip can throw it off course. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 Advertisement Until your new routine is automatic, a nudge helps—just maybe not the one on your wrist. — Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nudge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge

Verb

The Daily Dividend In an interview with CNBC yesterday, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su brushed off Elon Musk's comments about SpaceX exclusively using Nvidia chips.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Lightly brush the salmon fillets with the mustard and top with the panko/Parmesan mixture, pressing down lightly to adhere.

— Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of brush

Noun

Parnell said the push for speedier delivery was part of a broader modernization effort that predated the five-month-old conflict.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
In late June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a 40-day campaign to ramp up drone strikes deep into Russian territory – a push that his top adviser has said will continue.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

In one night, Jowsey kisses 11 out of the 15 women left in the show, even bringing one of them up to his bedroom.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
The musical retells the story of Heated Rivalry, this time telling the tale of hockey players who want to kiss and explore each other’s bodies from the perspective of the straight, female fans who turned it into a hit.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of kiss

Verb

Boundless San Francisco, which encourages out-of-the-box ideas, echoes the venture capital ethos, Crankstart Chief Executive Officer Missy Narula said.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
The communication drills are intended to encourage first-line fighters to be more self-reliant and effective in battle, experts say.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourage

Noun

That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Kris and Billy watch that one together in an intimate sleepover, sinking into the murky texture of a scene in which the virginal actor allowed a jerk to take off her clothes.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of jerk

Browse Nearby Words

nude

nudge

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Style

“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nudge

verb

noun

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