goad 1 of 2

noun

Definition of goadnext
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

goad

2 of 2

verb

ˈgōd How to pronounce goad (audio)
1
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action tried to goad me into auditioning for the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spur
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object goading the horse forward into the stall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun goad contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of goad are impulse, incentive, inducement, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

In what contexts can impulse take the place of goad?

The synonyms impulse and goad are sometimes interchangeable, but impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When can incentive be used instead of goad?

While the synonyms incentive and goad are close in meaning, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When is it sensible to use inducement instead of goad?

While in some cases nearly identical to goad, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

Where would motive be a reasonable alternative to goad?

The words motive and goad can be used in similar contexts, but motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When might spur be a better fit than goad?

The meanings of spur and goad largely overlap; however, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of goad
Noun
Democrats bashing tariffs can backfire as Trump goads rivals, David Sirota argues Founder and editor in chief of The Lever David Sirota explains why President Trump’s trade war is a political trap for Democrats. —The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025 Their plot thickens when Davis goads Staten into taking a swing at him. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Democratic senator, meanwhile, has appeared to goad her to get into the race. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 7 May 2025 Donald Trump is goading unrest, using chaos as a pretext to pose as a strongman. —Pat Wright, Oc Register, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for goad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goad
  1. incentive
  2. urge
  3. spur
  4. impetus
  5. encourage
  6. stab
  7. encouragement
  8. nudge
Noun
  • As an example, traditional regulatory efforts tend to be seen as restrictive, while industrial policy typically incorporates enabling incentives to stimulate private or public sector action.
    — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Too quick of a shift could lead many aging rice farmers to just retire, while large commercial farms may need more incentives to switch back to producing mainly rice over other crops.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 July 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Residents are urged to exercise caution, stay hydrated, and be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
    — Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 22 July 2025
  • Donald Trump has also publicly stated his opposition to breaking encrypted communications, publicly urging the prime minister Kier Starmer not to introduce such measures.
    — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of urge
Verb
  • An ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Wise is committed to reducing mental health stigma, and to helping spur systemic change towards accessible care for all.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 July 2025
  • Canadian wildfire smoke has spurred poor air quality across Milwaukee routinely in recent years.
    — Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of spur
Noun
  • This served as a mighty impetus to spur the Space Race.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Devastating seizures in young children were the impetus for the compensation program.
    — Patricia Callahan, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Definition of impetus
Verb
  • During his latter stint on the council, Spelman called on Austin police to reevaluate how officers spent their time and encouraged the city to consider alternative programs to reduce crime.
    — Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Community members are encouraged to see the stadium before the start of the 2025 football season.
    — Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were stabbed to death in the middle of the night at their off-campus residence.
    — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • Kernodle died from lacerations to her heart and lungs, and she had been stabbed more than 50 times.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2025
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Axios reported last month that Trump stopped short of endorsing Rogers during a February dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Republican senators, but offered encouragement.
    — M.L. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • Others shared words of encouragement and admiration for Savage.
    — Colson Thayer, People.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of encouragement
Verb
  • For loyalty teams, the real allure is real-time agility: Rewards can flex by the minute, nudging behavior without the delays of traditional quarterly campaigns.
    — Boris Dzhingarov, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Snub: Seth Meyers’ Time Slot Put Him at a Disadvantage By moving from four to three submissions in the talk series category, Meyers’ late start time could have nudged him out of his other late night competitors.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2025
Definition of nudge

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go
goad
goaded
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Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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