Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun goad

2 senses of goad

Sense 1
prod, goad -- (a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion)
       => device -- (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water")

Sense 2
goad, goading, prod, prodding, urging, spur, spurring -- (a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something; "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves")
       => encouragement -- (the expression of approval and support)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb goad

4 senses of goad

Sense 1
spur, goad -- (give heart or courage to)
       => encourage -- (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)

Sense 2
goad -- (urge with or as if with a goad)
       => prod, incite, egg on -- (urge on; cause to act; "The other children egged the boy on, but he did not want to throw the stone through the window")

Sense 3
goad, prick -- (stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick)
       => stab, jab -- (stab or pierce; "he jabbed the piece of meat with his pocket knife")

Sense 4
needle, goad -- (goad or provoke,as by constant criticism; "He needled her with his sarcastic remarks")
       => harass, hassle, harry, chivy, chivvy, chevy, chevvy, beset, plague, molest, provoke -- (annoy continually or chronically; "He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked"; "This man harasses his female co-workers")