to prod

Examples

• All

• Among other things, adverse publicity often prods the defense committees and the administration into action.

  Academic text (1990)

• Since the June 1989 Tiananmen tragedy, Congress has tried to use sanctions to prod China to better observe human rights.

  Academic text (1992)

• How far would you have gone without me there to prod you on?

  Fiction book (1993)

• Social issues cases were a way to prod a new justice and see what he or she was all about.

  Academic text (2003)

• I wanted to know how they were made, so I would prod my dad constantly with questions.

  Blog text (19)

• Neither power wants to fight Israel, so both prod Egypt toward the conference table.

  TimeGhost History

• Outstanding administrators prod students and staff members alike to reach their potential.

  Academic text (1993)

• A transit cop quickly comes up to him and prods him into motion.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Find in each of the sports a good, good male coaches who are willing to support him emotionally but also prod him on and expect more of him.

  Triggernometry

• Before the night was out, the relentless demands of the child within her would prod her into wakefulness.

  Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

D

to drive

vsto prod

∞ 3.6

To cause someone to want to do something strongly

is weaker, usually only a light reminder or gentle push

P

to press

vsto prod

285 3.9

Ask someone firmly and repeatedly to do something

is gentler, usually a short reminder or light encouragement

P

to pressure

vsto prod

149 4.2

To try to make someone do something

is softer, implying mild reminders rather than coercion

C

to coax

vsto prod

54 4.1

To gently persuade someone by being kind and patient

uses gentle pressure or reminders rather than patient persuasion

N

to nudge

vsto prod

24 4.1

To gently encourage someone to try something new

is more like a brief reminder or single gentle push

C

to cajole

vsto prod

15 7.7

To persuade someone to do something by gentle talk and praise

relies on simple reminders or mild pressure not flattery

I

to impel

vsto prod

4 7.2

To make someone feel they must do something, often because of pressure or need

stresses external prompting rather than internal pressure or necessity

G

to give a prod

vsto prod

3.9

Encourage someone gently to start doing something

is a broader term covering reminders or gentle pressure to act

Antonyms

D

to discourage

257 3.5

To try to stop something by making people less willing to do it

Phrasal Verbs

G

to give a prod

3.9

Encourage someone gently to start doing something

How Insistent

to push

958 1.1

to nudge

24 4.1

to prod

8 3.6

to encourage

∞ 2.3

to remind

397 2.3

to suggest

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology