goad
Americannoun
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goads
plural
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a stick with a pointed or electrically charged end, for driving cattle, oxen, etc.; prod.
-
anything that pricks or wounds like such a stick.
-
something that encourages, urges, or drives; a stimulus.
verb (used with object)
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goads,
present (3rd person singular)
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goaded,
past participle, past
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goading
present participle
noun
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a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc
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anything that acts as a spur or incitement
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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goadsimple
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goadssimple
-
have goadedperfect
-
has goadedperfect
-
am goadingprogressive
-
are goadingprogressive
-
is goadingprogressive
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have been goadingperfect progressive
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has been goadingperfect progressive
Past
-
goadedsimple
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had goadedperfect
-
was goadingprogressive
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were goadingprogressive
-
had been goadingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of goad
before 900; Middle English gode, Old English gād; compare Langobardic gaida spearhead
Explanation
A goad is a pointy stick or other instrument used to prod something along. To goad is to poke something with that pointy stick. Either way, the pointiness is really essential for making things leap into action. Originally spelled gad, meaning “spearhead,” goad first came into use as a verb in the 1570s. But say you left your pointy goading stick at home. Have no fear! You can goad people with words, too. Literally or figuratively, a goad prods and pokes and provokes people into doing something. A sheep herder might hustle his flock along with a goad, just as your mom's constant nagging and goading might finally get you sit up straight at the dinner table.
Vocabulary lists containing goad
Lord of the Flies
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Grade 11, List 2
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The economy lacks other spurs to goad it into faster growth.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026
However, “markets typically test those levels to goad the MOF into action,” the analyst adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
Tommy Lasorda had to goad Hershiser into becoming a bulldog.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2025
He defended those actions and said he will continue to stand up for what he believes is "right" by challenging those trying to goad him into a reaction on camera.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025
Why is he trying to goad me into giving up?
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Anything that goads and irritates the opposition is fair game.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2024
One seeks out a key piece of Parkinson's-causing RNA, while the other goads the cell to chop it to pieces for recycling.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 9, 2024
In body camera footage released by police in June, an officer sprints into the parking lot and apparently goads on Rodriguez-Nuñez, who is standing beside several smoldering vehicles.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 10, 2022
But it's still the dinner rush, and my phone goads me with the familiar chime of incoming offers.
From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2022
This only goads them into talking further, in lowered voices, their heads leaning in toward each other.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
The fans goaded Kuniskis to rip a burnout, spinning the truck’s wheels in place until rubber turned into smoke.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
For example: When music legend Stevie Wonder phoned to congratulate Starr on a Grammy nomination, she goaded him into a playful argument about zodiac signs.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
And the message-board-born concept of a “lolcow,” a gullible user who can be goaded into making a fool of themselves on a regular basis, definitely predated the music video.
From Salon ● Feb. 16, 2026
He raced to the ring and headed straight to Usyk's corner and goaded his opponent, to the enjoyment of 2,500 travelling British fans.
From BBC ● May 18, 2024
Horns were blown and trumpets were braying, and the mûmakil were bellowing as they were goaded to war.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Rather than respond directly to the company, Muddy Waters took to X, where it posted a meme goading SoFi to “run that game.”
From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026
Pollock is known for goading the opposition and extravagant try-scoring celebrations.
From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026
Note, for instance, how this kerfuffle is goading his critics into defending the indefensible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
“What that family suffered is truly, truly horrific and truly unconscionable. The lies that were told, the goading of the family, all of that is absolutely horrendous.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2025
The noise now became increasingly loud, its diesel hum goading everyone’s desperate hopes and deepest worries.
From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
