goad
Americannoun
-
goads
plural
-
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)
-
goads,
present (3rd person singular)
-
goaded,
past participle, past
-
goading
present participle
noun
-
a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc
-
anything that acts as a spur or incitement
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
goadsimple
-
goadssimple
-
have goadedperfect
-
has goadedperfect
-
am goadingprogressive
-
are goadingprogressive
-
is goadingprogressive
-
have been goadingperfect progressive
-
has been goadingperfect progressive
Past
-
goadedsimple
-
had goadedperfect
-
was goadingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 11, List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
Commercial banks can goad the Fed into buying Treasurys by increasing their demand for reserves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
Tommy Lasorda had to goad Hershiser into becoming a bulldog.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2025
As they goad each other, they act pettily and childishly but is also great fun to watch the superb actors go toe-to-toe.
From Salon ● Nov. 10, 2024
They axe still unblooded, Catelyn thought as she watched Lord Bryce goad Ser Robar into juggling a brace of daggers.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The only non-spoiler cameo is Courteney Cox’s reporter Gale Weathers, an antagonist-turned-mascot who goads Sidney into admitting that their relationship is “complicated but enduring.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2026
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
This only goads them into talking further, in lowered voices, their heads leaning in toward each other.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
A second complainant told jurors he had kissed Bowen in a café after being "goaded" into it by other boys.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Mr. Warsh resolutely refuses to be goaded into making news at post-FOMC press conferences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
His mother was furious and goaded his father to discipline him.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 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
She had goaded him for years to learn to summon and aim lightning, with dismal results.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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
YouTube footage shows him goading people into singing Reef's Put Your Hands Up, and taking selfies with fans during the encore.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2025
Her goading struck into his brain; his lips snarled and his eyes were fierce again.
From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
