goad
[gohd]
- 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.
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- to prick or drive with, or as if with, a goad; prod; incite.
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Origin of goad
before 900; Middle English gode, Old English gād; compare Langobardic gaida spearhead
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
prod, tease, coerce, harass, hound, provoke, force, propel, move, sting, thrust, arouse, prompt, animate, whip, exhort, irritate, sound, encourage, triggerExamples from the Web for goaded
Contemporary Examples
It was a text message from a friend—which I had goaded him into sending from across the table purely to delight and amaze.
He wisely refused to be goaded into an unnecessary Middle East war.
Bill Clinton sanctioned Pakistan for testing the bomb after India goaded it into doing so.
Jessi flirted with Barrett, whom she goaded into humiliating Montgomery at work and online.
What matters is that the world must not be goaded into falling into the trap he is setting for us.
Historical Examples
On the contrary, it goaded him on, and he finished by unburthening his mind in a flood of words.
His MasterpieceEmile Zola
Goaded to fury, Phil swung at it with his club and hurled it through the air.
The Einstein See-SawMiles John Breuer
Poor Jed, the long-suffering, was goaded into a mild retort.
ShavingsJoseph C. Lincoln
Goaded by something akin to despair, she was now more dangerous than resolute.
The Shadow of a CrimeHall Caine
With the roar of a 'goaded bull the German attempted to fling forward.
The Historical Nights' EntertainmentRafael Sabatini
goad
- a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc
- anything that acts as a spur or incitement
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- (tr) to drive with or as if with a goad; spur; incite
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Word Origin
Old English gād, of Germanic origin, related to Old English gār, Old Norse geirr spear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for goaded
goad
v.
1570s, from goad (n.); earliest use is figurative. Related: Goaded; goading.
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goad
n.
Old English gad "point, spearhead, arrowhead," from Proto-Germanic *gaido (cf. Lombardic gaida "spear"), from PIE *ghei- (cf. Sanskrit hetih "missile, projectile," himsati "he injures;" Avestan zaena- "weapon;" Greek khaios "shepherd's staff;" Old English gar "spear;" Old Irish gae "spear"). Figurative use is since 16c., probably from the Bible.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper