goad

[gohd]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms: impel, push, spur

goad

/ ɡəʊd /

noun

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

2. anything that acts as a spur or incitement

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• goadlike adjective
• ungoaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of goad¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of goad¹

Old English gād, of Germanic origin, related to Old English gār, Old Norse geirr spear

Example Sentences

“This is a disaster. I’m a disaster. I’m probably causing the end of the world, like, right now. But I couldn’t help it. Shale goaded me. And it’s 1999! The best year!”

Read more on Literature

It was as if they were goading Scotland now.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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