goad

[ gohd ]

/ goʊd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR goad ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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)

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

Nearby words

go-train, go/no-go, goa, goa powder, goa, daman, and diu, goad, goaf, goal, goal area, goal crease, goal kick

Origin of goad

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

SYNONYMS FOR goad

4 spur, push, impel.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR goad ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

goad·like, adjectiveun·goad·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for goaded

It was a text message from a friend—which I had goaded him into sending from across the table purely to delight and amaze.
The Smartwatch Revolution, or How the Pebble Changed My Life|Brian Ries|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He wisely refused to be goaded into an unnecessary Middle East war.
Carter in Oscarland: The Rehabilitation of the 39th President|Douglas Brinkley|February 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bill Clinton sanctioned Pakistan for testing the bomb after India goaded it into doing so.
Marc Grossman Inherits the Worst Job in the World|Bruce Riedel|February 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Jessi flirted with Barrett, whom she goaded into humiliating Montgomery at work and online.
Web's Killer Love Triangle|Larry Getlen|March 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST

What matters is that the world must not be goaded into falling into the trap he is setting for us.
The Skunk at the Party|Reza Aslan|September 22, 2009|DAILY BEAST
When she opened them again they were among trees and fields, while the goaded machine hurled itself forward in tugging leaps.
The Salamander|Owen Johnson
What will not jealousy, goaded on by officious and injudicious friendship, do?
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland|Various
La Peyrade, goaded by anxiety, had the bad taste to look through the keyhole himself at what was happening.
The Lesser Bourgeoisie|Honore de Balzac
"Go ahead an' tell her," snorted Alf, goaded beyond endurance.
Anderson Crow, Detective|George Barr McCutcheon
And the smile was as a banderilla to her niece's goaded spirit.
New Faces|Myra Kelly

British Dictionary definitions for goaded

goad

/ (ɡəʊd) /

noun

a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc

anything that acts as a spur or incitement

verb

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

Derived Forms

goadlike, adjective

Word Origin for goad

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