GOAD Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

goad 1 of 2

noun

Definition of goad next

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

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

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

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Recent Examples of goad

Noun

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 For countless emerging artists, many of whom have become marquee names, Satter has been a guide, a sounding board and a goad at the most vulnerable moments in their careers, counseling them not just in how to make their films better, but in how best to get them in front of audiences. —

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024

Verb

Your Gut on Booze The brain and the gut are in a negative feedback loop over alcohol, goading each other into another drink. —

Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 9 Jan. 2025 The move ultimately paid off, with Harris delivering a strong performance and answers that goaded an undisciplined Trump into straying off-topic with eyebrow-raising claims about Haitian migrants in Ohio, his crowd sizes at rallies, and falsehoods about the 2020 election. —

Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for goad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for goad

Noun

The group has proposed uncapping the tax incentive for productions that shoot in LA County for the next three years as part of the overall disaster relief effort as well as calling on the studios and streamers to pledge at least 10% more production in LA over the next three years.

— Peter White, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump has also moved to end a $7,500 federal tax credit for new EV purchases, an incentive for which Tesla buyers were the top beneficiaries.

— Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025