goad

Meaning

Noun

1. A long, pointed stick used to prod animals.
2. (figuratively) That which goads or incites; a stimulus.

Verb

1. To prod with a goad.
2. To encourage or stimulate.
3. To incite or provoke.

Synonyms

spur

incite

prod

provoke

prick

urge

tease

instigate

urging

stimulus

stir up

whip

prickle

gad

foment

stimulate

agitate

incentive

excite

stick

spurring

sting

goading

needle

drive

prodding

stir

gall

disturb

fret

force

deride

bother

fire up

commove

fillip

insult

filigree

coax

bayonet

fang

incitement

exhort

chafe

inflame

input

impulse

impel

irk

ignite

Translations

aiguillonner

aguijonear

pungolo

anstacheln

aguijón

pungolare

aguijar

aiguillon

estímulo

Stachelstock

pinchar

spronare

stimulo

aanzetten

inciter

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɡəʊd/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: gode

Inherited from Old English: gād

Cognate with Old Norse: gedda

Cognate with Langobardic: gaida

Cognate with Old Irish: gath

Cognate with Sanskrit: हिन्वति

In summary

From Middle English gode, from Old English gād (“goad”), from Proto-Germanic *gaidō (compare Old Norse gedda (“pike (fish)”), Lombardic gaida (“spear”)), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- (compare Old Irish gath (“spear”), Sanskrit हिन्वति (hinvati), हिनोति (hinoti, “to urge on, throw”), हेति (heti, “missile, projectile”)). Doublet of gad and yard; see also xyston.