goads
Pushes to act
Goads are pointed sticks used to drive cattle or oxen forward.
The word extends to anything that prods or provokes action: Hunger was the goad that drove him to work.
To goad is to urge someone on, often through persistent irritation or provocation: She goaded him into responding, goaded by critics into making changes.
poke
Sharp, quick thrust
spur · urge · prompt · push · egg on · pressure · coax · provoke · needle · badger
incite
Urge toward action
encourage · stimulate · spur · rouse · stir · galvanize · propel · compel · inspire · prompt
- mocksmocks, teases, ridicules, taunts, jeers
- promptsprompt, prompts, prompting, cue, hint
- stimulantscaffeine, amphetamine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine
motivational force
goadsdiscourages
Lessens motivation to act
dissuades · deters · disincentives · restrains · inhibits