prodding

[ prod-ing ]

noun

1. the act of poking or jabbing with or as if with something pointed:

   Finally, after five minutes and some prodding with a stick, the cow moved out of the road.

2. the act of trying to incite someone to action, as if by poking; nagging or urging:

   The National Research Council finally succeeded in its assigned mission—albeit with some prodding from a public interest group and the courts.

adjective

1. poking, urging, or nagging:

   It wasn’t until two days later, under the prodding questions of close relatives, that she revealed the true source of the ring.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prodding¹

First recorded in 1840–45; prod + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; prod + -ing ² for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

After some prodding, Sokol received an SBA email on Nov. 3, 2021 explaining that Sokol’s application was denied “at least in part” because Club Cobra “presented live performances of a prurient sexual nature” or derives meaningful revenue “through sale of products or services, or the presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature.”

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to prodding Trump on topics with little bearing on current events, like opening the file on John F. Kennedy, he also flatly asked Trump, since he says he has so much evidence that it was rigged, “Why haven't you put this evidence in a consumable form?”

From Salon

But we’re more like mischievous researchers rather than puzzle solvers, tasked to wander a library and hunt for camouflaged narratives, each one prodding us to pause, ponder and pretend.

From Los Angeles Times

Companies prodding patients to “ask your doctor” for drugs that they may not need isn’t just about truth in advertising or breaking government and personal budgets.

From Salon

Her poking and her prodding of Trump.

From BBC

Related Words

• goad
• motivate
• prompt
• propel
• provoke
• remind
• spur
• stimulate