goader
One who prods
A goader is someone who prods or provokes others into action, often through persistent needling or taunting.
The word derives from the pointed stick used to drive cattle: He was the goader in the group, always pushing people past their comfort zones.
A goader may irritate deliberately or simply refuse to let others remain passive.
One who opposes another
- instigatorOne who provokes action
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- inciterOne who provokes action
- tormentorOne who causes anguish
needler · baiter · heckler · taunter · irritant · pest · troublemaker · rabble-rouser
One who shoves forward
- driverVehicle operator
- motivatorSomething prompting action
- encouragerOne who heartens others
- prompterOne who feeds lines
urger · catalyst · impeller · stimulator · nudger · galvanizer · energizer · taskmaster
antagonist
One who opposes another
- instigatorOne who provokes action
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- inciterOne who provokes action
tormentor · needler · baiter · heckler · taunter · irritant · pest · troublemaker · rabble-rouser · firebrand
pusher
One who shoves forward
- driverVehicle operator
- motivatorSomething prompting action
- encouragerOne who heartens others
prompter · urger · catalyst · impeller · stimulator · nudger · galvanizer · energizer · taskmaster · coach
drover
One who moves livestock
rancher · wrangler · prod · stick · staff · cattleman · herdsman · gaucho · vaquero
goaderrestrainer
Something that holds back
dissuader · inhibitor · discourager · preventer · suppressor