prodding

American  

[prod-ing] / ˈprɒd ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of poking or jabbing with or as if with something pointed.

   Finally, after five minutes and some prodding with a stick, the cow moved out of the road.

2. the act of trying to incite someone to action, as if by poking; nagging or urging.

   The National Research Council finally succeeded in its assigned mission—albeit with some prodding from a public interest group and the courts.

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adjective

1. poking, urging, or nagging.

   It wasn’t until two days later, under the prodding questions of close relatives, that she revealed the true source of the ring.

Etymology

Origin of prodding

First recorded in 1840–45; prod + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; prod + -ing ² for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

Massie has been one of the loudest House voices prodding the Trump administration to release more information on the sex offender and his accomplices.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

The military is prodding contractors to make their weapons more compatible with AI models.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Zarate, without prodding, went up to CIF executive director Ron Nocetti and thanked him for what will become an annual state soccer championship event.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

The day will need him at his gobsmacking best; poking and prodding, controlling and surprising, putting men into gaps and sticking points on the board.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

They were creeping up on him, hiding in the shadows of his mind, poking and prodding him.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• goad
• motivate
• prompt
• propel
• provoke
• remind
• spur
• stimulate