PROD Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

prod 1 of 2

verb

ˈpräd

Definition of prod

as in to poke

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

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

prod

2 of 2

noun

as in stimulus

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

subduing

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

Verb

On that occasion, Argentina sought to prod, poke and provoke; Enzo Fernandez left one on the head of Elliot Anderson early on, Leandro Paredes caught the ankle of Jude Bellingham. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026 But unless carefully designed, these groups are more often excuses for inaction than prods for durable solutions. — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Noun

The cutbacks are going far beyond a friendly prod to boost NATO defense spending. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 This one came on an innocent prod at the basketball, a tap that occurred a solid 85 feet away from the hoop on which his assignment, Jalen Brunson, hoped to score. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prod

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod

Verb

Dike was waiting in the middle to poke it home, giving Orlando a 1-0 lead.

— Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of poke

Noun

Instead, Beijing rolled out a roughly $586 billion stimulus—equivalent to around 12 percent of China’s GDP in 2008—funneled almost entirely into infrastructure and construction.

— Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
The gloves must be applied directly to someone's skin to deliver a pain stimulus that typically helps an officer gain compliance within seconds, according to the company.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Verb

This progress, however, is deeply rooted in lessons from past failures, including fatal incidents like Jesse Gelsinger's death, which spurred crucial safeguards in dose selection, adverse event reporting, and transparency.

— William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
That has spurred a broadening of the types of marketers eager to support sports.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of spur

Verb

Separating students from those pressures for several hours could encourage face-to-face conversation and give overwhelmed teenagers a genuine break.

— Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Protecting elections and encouraging thoughtful voting is imperative to retake control of our government.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourage

Noun

These are often conditions that mostly affect women and that can leave patients completely disabled—sensitive to light and sound, spending most of their time in a completely dark room with no stimulation.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Let’s let go of the self-identification with boredom or over-stimulation claiming to overshadow our path to progress.

— Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulation

Verb

As part of the plea, Marodi also admitted to having a prior serious felony conviction stemming from the 2000 stabbing death of her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The teen stabbed a police officer with a knife and stole his weapon -- a 9mm pistol -- just before the incident, then used it to carry out the attack.

— CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of stab

Verb

Separately, advertising growth across Joyy’s social media and streaming platforms could also nudge shares higher, the analyst added.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
Rodriguez’s exit led party leaders to nudge Crowley back into the race in a bid to consolidate centrist Democratic support and defeat the party’s left-wing faction.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of nudge

Browse Nearby Words

procuring

prod

prodded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of prod

verb

noun

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