goad

[ gohd ]

noun

1. a stick with a pointed or electrically charged end, for driving cattle, oxen, etc.; prod.
2. anything that pricks or wounds like such a stick.
3. something that encourages, urges, or drives; a stimulus.

verb (used with object)

1. to prick or drive with, or as if with, a goad; prod; incite.

   Synonyms: impel, push, spur

goad

/ ɡəʊd /

noun

1. a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc
2. anything that acts as a spur or incitement

verb

1. tr to drive with or as if with a goad; spur; incite

Derived Forms

• ˈgoadˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• goad·like adjective
• un·goad·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of goad¹

before 900; Middle English gode, Old English gād; compare Langobardic gaida spearhead

Word History and Origins

Origin of goad¹

Old English gād, of Germanic origin, related to Old English gār, Old Norse geirr spear

Example Sentences

Paul tried to goad Tyson by asking him about comments made in a documentary where the former champion described himself as "natural born killer".

From BBC

As they goad each other, they act pettily and childishly but is also great fun to watch the superb actors go toe-to-toe.

From Salon

Recently, he tried to goad me into a political debate in the kitchen, claiming that saying Donald Trump is a threat to democracy is akin to inciting violence, and that the presidential debate between Harris and Trump was rigged.

From Salon

The rest of the three states’ legal filing is filled with claims about the safety and efficacy of medical abortion drugs, many of which have long since been debunked, and aren’t particularly relevant to this civil court case anyway; it attempts to goad a judge into discarding the years of studies consulted by the FDA in approving the drugs and replacing it with his own ideological worldview and pseudoscientific judgments.

From Los Angeles Times

Baier attempted to goad Harris into saying something equally disparaging about Trump voters on Wednesday, asking her if she thought his supporters were "stupid."

From Salon