Definitions

prodding

[prod-ing] / ˈprɒd ɪŋ /

VERB

poke at

Synonyms

STRONGEST

nudge press

STRONG

crowd dig drive elbow goose jab jog prick punch push shove

Antonyms

STRONG

discourage dissuade pull repress

VERB

urge, incite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

goad motivate prompt propel provoke remind spur stimulate

STRONG

crowd excite exhort goose impel instigate move pique prick push rouse sic sound spark trigger

WEAK

egg on jog memory stir up turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

depress discourage dissuade halt prevent stop

STRONG

calm quiet repress suppress

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The day will need him at his gobsmacking best; poking and prodding, controlling and surprising, putting men into gaps and sticking points on the board.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Its activist investing honcho, James Chadwick, once told a podcast his fund often gets involved at the prodding of a former insider or other person knowledgeable about a particular target company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Showrunner Jess Brownell says this season, they were is interested in prodding the wish-fulfillment fantasy many of us were introduced to at a young age.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

He departed after prodding at a moving delivery from Scott Boland that took a faint edge and was collected easily by Carey as England fell to 57-3.

From Barron's • Jan. 4, 2026

We get to the foot of the hill, where the crowd is thicker, pushing and prodding on all sides.

From "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard