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
His research group at Carnegie Mellon University has discovered numerous methods of tricking, goading, and confusing advanced AI models into being their worst selves. —Will Knight, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025 Jim goaded Rick, insulted his mother and claimed his father wasn't a saint. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 7 Apr. 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
  • An example of the latter includes receiving restricted stock units (RSUs) or exercising incentive stock options (ISOs).
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Use incentive campaigns to drive reach growth and engagement, which will enhance conversions across your websites and platforms.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio called senior officials in both countries before the attacks, urging them to ease tensions.
    — Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
  • Friday's statement from the embassy urged American citizens to take shelter if there was an aerial alert, following the language previously issued as part of its standard security protocols.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Definition of urge
Verb
  • The case out of Dedham, Massachusetts has turned into a years-long whodunnit legal saga that has garnered massive intrigue from true-crime fans across the country, spurring an array of podcasts, movies, and television shows.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Major League Baseball’s ultimatum spurred DiBella and his team on.
    — Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Definition of spur
Noun
  • The state’s budget could be the impetus for a third special session of the General Assembly in as many years — especially if federal cuts to Medicaid materialize.
    — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
  • So strong is the impetus to continue to try to be as hot as possible, at all costs.
    — Mara Gordon, NPR, 8 May 2025
Definition of impetus
Verb
  • Goolsbee’s remarks suggest he’s encouraged by the trade truce with China, a separate 90-day pause on double-digit tariffs on other nations, and soft inflation readings for both March and April.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Trump was in the Middle Eastern country Tuesday along with several tech CEO’s to encourage further investment.
    — Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Rapper Tory Lanez, who is serving jail time, was hospitalized after another inmate stabbed him.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
  • Life outside the courtroom, however, is a bit more complicated, with Nash-Betts weeping in a hospital gown and Kardashian stabbing herself with a needle in a bathroom stall.
    — Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 13 May 2025
Definition of stab
Noun
  • While Mahomes was at Texas Tech, his then-head coach and now the current Washington Commanders offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, asked Romo to write Mahomes a letter of encouragement.
    — Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • His defensive improvements at third offer encouragement about his future.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Definition of encouragement
Verb
  • Trump’s deals are designed to nudge the region towards greater alignment with the US, experts say.
    — Will Knight, Wired News, 15 May 2025
  • Economists were split over whether the tariffs nudged inflation higher last month.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Definition of nudge

Browse Nearby Words

go
goad
goaded
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Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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