prodding

American  

[prod-ing] / ˈprɒd ɪŋ /

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of prodding

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

Example Sentences

The knitters of Barracks 28 became the praying heart of the vast diseased body that was Ravensbruck, interceding for all in the camp—guards, under Betsie’s prodding, as well as prisoners.

From Literature

Despite the EU’s prodding, European drivers have been reluctant to adopt electric vehicles on the scale regulators envisioned.

From The Wall Street Journal

To his relief, it contained no dead cub: The cub was sitting by its mother, prodding her stinking carcass with one paw.

From Literature

It’s the assistant who speaks, ultimately, tasked with the job via unspoken prodding from her boss.

From Literature

“He’s obviously one of the best wing defensive rebounders in the NBA. He’s able to generate steals and deflections. And, with some prodding, he’s taking charges as well.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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