goad
noun
\
Definition of goad
(Entry 1 of 2)
goad
verbDefinition of goad (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for goad
Synonyms: Noun
boost, encouragement, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeast
Synonyms: Verb
egg (on), encourage, exhort, nudge, press, prod, prompt, urge
Antonyms: Noun
counterincentive, disincentive
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Examples of goad in a Sentence
Noun
The threat of legal action is a powerful goad to companies that have ignored the regulations. the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreenVerb
The threat of legal action should goad them into complying. tried to goad me into auditioning for the play
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The only difference was that, during Marcus’s birth, the amplified heartbeat was with us through the entire labor, a goad, and solace. — Jon Michaud, The New Yorker, "Julius: The Story of a Premature Birth," 15 Aug. 2019 Stories like those emanating from San Francisco General can be powerful goads to federal lawmakers. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: How the hospital lobby derailed legislation to protect you from surprise hospital bills," 2 Aug. 2019 Their fairly gentle demeanor means handlers can manage them with verbal commands and the judicious use of goad sticks. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Carrying On Agricultural Traditions In Brooklyn," 17 June 2019 The largest group carried goads for their teams of working steers. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Carrying On Agricultural Traditions In Brooklyn," 17 June 2019 The partisan media is its instrument of choice, and the hotter a brouhaha in the news over whatever issue—taxes, entitlements, race, religion, class, trade, defense, choose your political goad—the greater the victory for Russia. — WSJ, "Russia Wanted to Disrupt U.S. and Has Succeeded," 11 June 2018 As the 30-year-old United man made his way into the stadium, a section of Liverpool fans approached him and proceeded the goad and hurl a number of verbal obscenities his way. — SI.com, "VIDEO: Section of Liverpool Fans Heckle Manchester United Star Upon Arrival at UCL Final in Kiev," 28 May 2018 So maybe biology doesn't need much of a goad to get started. — NBC News, "Simple math shows how many space aliens may be out there," 26 Jan. 2018 Setting unattainable goals doesn’t work well, but offering a reachable one can be a useful goad. — Dan Ariely, WSJ, "The Smart Way to Ask Your Friends for Money," 17 Aug. 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The only live question in this case is whether the Supreme Court can be goaded into wanting it as well. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Supreme Court’s First Major Gun Case in a Decade," 14 Aug. 2019 All but goading Republicans, the resolution included a full page of remarks by President Ronald Reagan, who is revered by the GOP. — Alan Fram, Fortune, "These Are the 4 Republicans Who Voted to Condemn Trump’s Tweets," 17 July 2019 Karine Jean-Pierre, a Democratic strategist and senior adviser at MoveOn.org, said Democrats should ignore Trump’s attempts to goad them into debates over tangential social issues on his terms. — Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: Trump dials up culture wars in divisive play for 2020 votes," 13 Aug. 2019 De Blasio tried to goad Biden into denouncing immigration policies of the Obama administration. — David Bauder, Fortune, "Poking and Prodding: Did the CNN Democratic Debate Go Too Far?," 2 Aug. 2019 Pacquiao's camp sure seems to be pushing for a rematch, or at the very least goad Mayweather into one. — Matt Bonesteel, courant.com, "Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are beefing again. Will it lead to a rematch?," 24 July 2019 All but goading Republicans, the resolution included a full page of remarks by President Ronald Reagan, who is revered by the GOP. — Alan Fram, Fortune, "These Are the 4 Republicans Who Voted to Condemn Trump’s Tweets," 17 July 2019 All but goading Republicans, the resolution included a full page of remarks by President Ronald Reagan, who is revered by the GOP. — Author: Alan Fram, Darlene Superville, Anchorage Daily News, "House condemns Trump ‘racist’ tweets in extraordinary rebuke," 16 July 2019 Rocky comes back out of retirement after his adversary Apollo Creed goads him into a rematch. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Sylvester Stallone Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Rocky II: I Am 'Incredibly Grateful'," 17 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'goad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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