goaders
Those who prod
Goaders are people or things that provoke, urge, or prod others into action.
The word comes from the pointed stick used to drive cattle, so goaders push someone toward behavior they might otherwise avoid: The goaders in the crowd kept egging him on.
A goader needn't be malicious—coaches and mentors can be goaders too.
One who causes anguish
- persecutorOne who harasses relentlessly
- bullyHabitual intimidator
- hecklerOne who taunts performers
- nagPester repeatedly
pest · intimidator · badgerer · hounder · taunter · baiter · needler · annoyer
Enemy in conflict
- rivalOne who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
foe · competitor · contender · contrarian · critic · detractor · disputant · obstructor
One who foments discord
- fomenterOne who incites trouble
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
stirrer · troublemaker · instigator · demagogue · incendiary · radical · revolutionary · subversive
tormentor
One who causes anguish
- persecutorOne who harasses relentlessly
- bullyHabitual intimidator
- hecklerOne who taunts performers
nag · pest · intimidator · badgerer · hounder · taunter · baiter · needler · annoyer · teaser
adversary
Enemy in conflict
- rivalOne who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
nemesis · foe · competitor · contender · contrarian · critic · detractor · disputant · obstructor · underminer
agitator
One who foments discord
- fomenterOne who incites trouble
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
provocateur · stirrer · troublemaker · instigator · demagogue · incendiary · radical · revolutionary · subversive · seditionist
encourager
One who heartens others
impetus · coach · mentor · cheerleader · supporter · promoter · driver · pusher · energizer · stimulator
- negativistspessimists, defeatists, doomers, doomsayers, negative Nellies
goaderscalmers
Things that soothe
soothers · pacifiers · appeasers · comforters · placaters
goadersrestrainers
Devices that confine
discouragers · dissuaders · deterrers · suppressors · inhibitors