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
As a goad to European diplomacy, talk of arming Ukraine turned out not to be a bad idea. —Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2015 Over the decades, the diary would serve as both a goad to and a document of the kind of endless, restless self-searching that was the template of many people’s lives in her generation. —Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Verb
At first, Violet receives weird memes goading her to accept the incoming message. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025 Nor did the visiting players arrive with an inflatable trophy to goad Wrexham over being pipped to the league title by Dave Challinor’s side, as had happened in each of the last two seasons when these two clubs had gone head-to-head for promotion. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 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
  • Additionally, there was the buyout and retirement incentives of another 3,000 employees.
    — Mike Dombeck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Therefore, there should be incentive for everyone to work collectively to get rid of STDs and give any efforts to do so more than a slow clap, so to speak.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • When Joel returns to what’s obviously his greatest therapy hits — woe is me, my teenage daughter hates me — Gail’s had it and urges him to say the scary thing out loud.
    — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Cal Newport, in his book Slow Productivity, challenges the pervasive culture of busyness, urging us to reject constant multitasking and return to work that is meaningful and rooted in quality.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of urge
Verb
  • Lam Yik—Bloomberg/Getty Images EVs and plug-in hybrids spur demand home markets selling eBayback in 2004 BYD EV price war Explore this year's list.
    — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2025
  • And for some owners, the healing process has been spurred along by posing for photos with their cars or by rolling through Altadena Cars & Coffee.
    — Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of spur
Noun
  • Yet it must be acknowledged that the impetus for the freezing of federal dollars for certain universities was a crisis for Jewish students, caused by the failure of college administrators to counter antisemitism and the harassment of Jews on campus.
    — Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Likewise, the impetus may be the same for McDonald’s customers.
    — BYAlex Ledsom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of impetus
Verb
  • The Last of Us star got their first role in season 6 of Game of Thrones at 11 years old, and has their parents to thank for encouraging their career.
    — Makena Gera, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Those who pick up the materials are encouraged to take a photo with their 988 sign, share it on their social media platforms and tag the Kane County Health Department to let their friends and family know that support is always available, according to the release.
    — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Police said evidence found at the scene indicated the man was stabbed near a bus stop in the 100 block of 11th Street.
    — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said he was stabbed in the heart and died in his twin brother’s arms.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Those responses were the encouragement Mez needed.
    — Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Ebony said a special moment is when plungers are ready to hit the lake, Special Olympians are there to shout encouragement.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of encouragement
Verb
  • This season, filmed mostly on the Thai island of Ko Samui, used the new setting to nudge its characters toward pursuits beyond the flesh.
    — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Still, word of departure spreads fast, potentially nudging more Canadians to follow suit, DuPont says.
    — Sami Sparber, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of nudge

Browse Nearby Words

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 20 Apr. 2025.

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