goad

1 of 2

verb

goaded; goading; goads

transitive verb

1
: to incite or rouse as if with a goad (see goad entry 2 sense 2a)
was goaded into fighting with another player
2
: to drive (an animal) with a goad (see goad entry 2 sense 1)

goad

2 of 2

noun

1
: a pointed rod used to urge on an animal
2
a
: something that urges or stimulates into action : spur
The accident has been a goad to the company to improve its safety record.
b
: something that pains as if by pricking : thorn
Choose the Right Synonym for goad

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of goad in a Sentence

Verb The threat of legal action should goad them into complying. tried to goad me into auditioning for the play Noun The threat of legal action is a powerful goad to companies that have ignored the regulations. the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreen
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
That’s when the days get a little longer, and the water begins to heat up and stay that way, goading bass to start roving into the shallow and move up onto beds. Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 21 Feb. 2024 After some hesitation and goaded by its own diverse workforce, Disney came out publicly against the Don’t Say Gay law. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024 All the while, congressional Democrats pumped money into the economy with one massive spending bill after another, goading consumers into demanding more goods than the economy could provide. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 For 68 minutes in the House chamber, Biden goaded Republicans over their policies, invited call-and-response banter with fellow Democrats on economic issues, taxes and healthcare and seemed to revel in the fight. Zeke Miller, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Curry scored a team-high 29 points while leaning in on what sounded like a hometown crowd on the road, even goading the crowd for a cheer after drawing an and-1 on a driving floater to give the Warriors a 10-point lead with just over a minute remaining. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 Marseille also went out on penalties, falling to 2019 tournament winner Rennes 9-8 in a tense shootout where both goalkeepers goaded the penalty takers in front of an impassive referee. Jerome Pugmire, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 Five centuries later, the European peasantry has once again been goaded to fury. Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Instead, Carlson posed increasingly esoteric questions — including whether any world leader could be a true Christian — and at times appeared to goad Putin into alleging a U.S. deep state and promote other conspiracy theories. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024
Noun
Over the decades, the diary would serve as both a goad to and a document of the kind of endless, restless self-searching that was the template of many people’s lives in her generation. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 For countless emerging artists, many of whom have become marquee names, Satter has been a guide, a sounding board and a goad at the most vulnerable moments in their careers, counseling them not just in how to make their films better, but in how best to get them in front of audiences. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Barbershops always seem to have one performer, a customer or a barber who likes to stir the pot, encourage fiery disagreement or goad discord about sports, music or dating. Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 While the illuminating Sun in your 12th House of Secrets goads outrageous Uranus in your communication sector, spilling the dirt has the potential to clear your name. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2024 Who talks you out of your worst ideas and goads you toward your best ones? Vulture, 4 Feb. 2024 When the volatile Moon in your impulsive 5th house goads impatient Mars in your money zone, you may be tempted to break away from someone who seems to be stringing you along. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023 However, your spending on hobbies or entertainment could get away from you as the exuberant Sun in your playful 5th house goads impulsive Uranus in your finance sector. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023 As the impressionable Moon in your group sector goads reckless Uranus in your finance sector, you might be tempted to spend money that wasn't in the budget on something speculative or just plain fun. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English gode, from Old English gād spear, goad; akin to Langobardic gaida spear, and perhaps to Sanskrit hinoti he urges on

First Known Use

Verb

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of goad was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near goad

Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goad. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

goad

noun
ˈgōd
1
: a pointed rod used to urge an animal on
2
: something that urges : spur
goad verb

More from Merriam-Webster on goad

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