goad 1 of 2

noun

Definition of goadnext
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

goad

2 of 2

verb

ˈgōd How to pronounce goad (audio)
1
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action tried to goad me into auditioning for the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spur
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object goading the horse forward into the stall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun goad contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of goad are impulse, incentive, inducement, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

In what contexts can impulse take the place of goad?

The synonyms impulse and goad are sometimes interchangeable, but impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When can incentive be used instead of goad?

While the synonyms incentive and goad are close in meaning, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When is it sensible to use inducement instead of goad?

While in some cases nearly identical to goad, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

Where would motive be a reasonable alternative to goad?

The words motive and goad can be used in similar contexts, but motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When might spur be a better fit than goad?

The meanings of spur and goad largely overlap; however, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

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 goad
Noun
As a goad to European diplomacy, talk of arming Ukraine turned out not to be a bad idea. — Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2015 Over the decades, the diary would serve as both a goad to and a document of the kind of endless, restless self-searching that was the template of many people’s lives in her generation. — Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Verb
At the final whistle, Doucoure ran to goad the away fans, sparking a tear-up with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones (above, top). — Phil Hay, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 But he’s actually got an entertainingly loopy idea: to goad President Ross, his former captor, into a military face-off with Japan over the ownership of a cache of adamantium. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goad
  1. incentive
  2. urge
  3. spur
  4. impetus
  5. encourage
  6. stab
  7. encouragement
  8. nudge
Noun
  • Europe and China both have incentives to step up, for different reasons and with different priorities.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The contract, Schefter said, could be worth up to $7 million with incentives.
    — Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Drivers are urged to limit their journeys, take public transport, or car-share to help bring pollution levels down.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In response, lawyers for David Cassirer, Claude's son, appealed to the Supreme Court and urged the justices to vacate, or set aside, the 9th Circuit's latest ruling.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of urge
Verb
  • China’s far distance ahead of the U.S. in shipbuilding capabilities along with the countries’ rocky trade relationship have provided the driving subtext throughout the probe, which was spurred on by a petition from five labor unions.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The model, spurred by a partnership between Rolex and Pan Am, was designed inspired by the boom of commercial air travel and flights between different time zones.
    — Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of spur
Noun
  • Lagarde, now its executive director, founded the initiative in 2010, but its impetus was New Orleans’ long struggle to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Katrina.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
  • How that plays out depends on a number of factors, such as where the conflict starts and what the impetus is, which would shape the way all major actors and allies respond to whatever acts as the spark.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of impetus
Verb
  • On the positive side, the increase in applications from students of color and the growing diversity of the applicant pool are encouraging signs of progress toward more significant equity in higher education.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Try to encourage the bird to perch atop a broom or other tall pole and escort it toward an open door.
    — Jessica Boehm, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • During episode 1, the police show Jamie, Eddie and their attorney a closed-circuit video of Jamie stabbing Katie in the parking lot where her body was later found.
    — Jessica Sager, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Brown pleaded guilty to the felony charge after stabbing a gas station clerk and a casino patron during a 2020 robbery in downtown Reno, Nevada, KOTO-TV reported.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Commercial pilot and licensed psychotherapist shares words of encouragement after recent plane crashes Michaela Renee Johnson says fear is a natural response to seeing the recent aviation disasters and shares thoughts on how people can ultimately tackle their fear.
    — Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • With his signature goofiness and kindhearted nature, Captain Goof-Beard helps Mickey and his friends on treasure hunts and exciting seafaring quests by providing clues, guidance, and encouragement, all while teaching valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of encouragement
Verb
  • Kansas erased an 11-point, second-half deficit and nudged ahead 65-64 on a follow shot by Storr with less than six minutes remaining.
    — Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • That followed a report Wednesday indicating that the consumer price rate had nudged lower as well, providing some welcome news amid concerns that the Trump tariffs would aggravate inflation.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of nudge

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Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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