goad
Needle into action
A goad is a pointed stick used to drive cattle or other livestock—a prod.
The word extends to anything that spurs action: Hunger was the goad that drove him to work.
As a verb, to goad is to provoke or urge someone toward action, often through persistent irritation: She goaded him into responding.
The connotation usually involves pressure or annoyance rather than gentle encouragement.
Sharp, quick thrust
Incite a response
- tauntInsulting provocation
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- baitLure for prey
- antagonizeIncite hostility in
irritate · pester · badger · harass · vex · aggravate · tease · irk
poke
Sharp, quick thrust
stick · push · thrust · shove · spike · point · prong · tip · shaft · pole
urge
Strong inner drive
drive · impel · prompt · encourage · motivate · prod · coax · persuade · pressure · nudge
provoke
Incite a response
antagonize · irritate · pester · badger · harass · vex · aggravate · tease · irk · annoy
incite
Urge toward action
stir · inflame · rouse · spark · trigger · kindle · whip up · fan · escalate · enrage
herd
Grazing animals together
stockyard · roundup · corral · branding · pasture · oxen · steer · drove · wrangler · stockman
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- encourageencourage, urge, cheer on, exhort, motivate
- promptsprompt, prompts, prompting, cue, hint
- Ganeshaelephant head, elephant trunk, tusks, large ears, trunk
- ox drivingoxen, ox yoke, ox team, yoke, ox cart
- motivationmotivation, drive, motivate, inspire, encouragement