goad

American  

[gohd] / goʊd /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms:

   impel , push , spur

goad British  

/ ɡəʊd /

noun

1. a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc

2. anything that acts as a spur or incitement

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• goadlike adjective
• ungoaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of goad

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

Example Sentences

Artists got an idea for a Museum of Contemporary Art off the ground in 1979, goading the wealthy and influential powers that be into action.

From Los Angeles Times

It was as if they were goading Scotland now.

From BBC

The goading and deliberate reduction in food encourages them to fly and helps them lose weight, he says.

From BBC

Using her charm offensive, Hedda goads naive spouses to cheat, recovering alcoholics to drink and depressives to wander off into the darkness with a revolver.

From Los Angeles Times

Energy prices are markedly higher in Europe than in most other steel-producing countries, on top of which politicians have goaded many producers into big investments in electrification to reduce gas and coke burning.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coerce
• harass
• hound
• prod
• provoke
• tease