prodding
Poking to motivate
Prodding is the act of poking or pushing at something, literally or figuratively.
Physical prodding uses a finger, stick, or pointed instrument: The doctor's prodding revealed tenderness in his abdomen.
More often, prodding means persistent urging or prompting: After some prodding from his wife, he finally called the doctor.
The word suggests repeated, gentle pressure rather than forceful demand.
Sharp, quick thrust
- jabQuick, straight blow
- elbowArm's middle joint
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- pushForce something away
shove · jostle · dig · thrust · bump · finger · stick · spur
Persuade by gentle urging
nudge · goad · exhort · motivate · inspire · hearten · reassure · bolster
Request for information
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- examineStudy with attention
- inquireAsk for information
- investigateSeek facts systematically
interrogate · delve · dig · press · grill · cross-examine · quiz · fish
poke
Sharp, quick thrust
push · shove · jostle · dig · thrust · bump · finger · stick · spur · goad
coax
Persuade by gentle urging
push · nudge · goad · exhort · motivate · inspire · hearten · reassure · bolster · support
annoy
Cause mild irritation
badger · harass · needle · goad · irk · vex · aggravate · hassle · hound · bug
provoke
Incite a response
agitate · inflame · rouse · spark · trigger · galvanize · foment · kindle · arouse · antagonize
question
Request for information
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- examineStudy with attention
- inquireAsk for information
investigate · interrogate · delve · dig · press · grill · cross-examine · quiz · fish · elicit
impulse
Sudden urge to act
- desireIntense wanting
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
drive · itch · instinct · longing · yearning · appetite · need · hankering · thirst · yen
- fiddlingfiddling, fiddle, fiddler, fiddle tune, fiddle tunes
- touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
- annoying behaviorsnagging, pestering, bothering, irritating, aggravating
- provocationbaiting, goading, taunting, incitement, instigation
- coercionduress, coercing, compelling, threat, forcing
- incitementinciting, instigating, provoking, incitement, instigation
proddingdiscouraging
Causing loss of confidence
deterring · dissuading · discouragement · restraining · holding back
proddingcalming
Inducing a settled state
soothing · pacifying · settling · reassuring · quieting
proddingleaving alone
Ceasing to disturb
neglecting · ignoring · letting be · abandoning · non-interference
- cattle proddingShocking livestock to move