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

Despite the EU’s prodding, European drivers have been reluctant to adopt electric vehicles on the scale regulators envisioned.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

City captain Silva started the game after recovering from a recent hamstring issue and was the catalyst for his side's comeback by prodding in the equaliser from a Haaland knockdown.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Showrunner Jess Brownell says this season, they were is interested in prodding the wish-fulfillment fantasy many of us were introduced to at a young age.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

Without prodding, Post said quietly, “I don’t think I shall advocate that dome; probably I shall modify the building.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

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