A pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion.

synonym: prod.

A verbalization that encourages you to attempt something.

synonyms: goading, prod, prodding, spur, spurring, urging.

Roget 615: motive, springs of action, wellsprings of action.    reason, ground, call, principle; by end, by purpose; mainspring, primum mobile [Lat.], keystone; the why and the wherefore; pro and con, reason why; secret motive, arriere pensee [Fr.]; intention etc. 620.    inducement, consideration; attraction; loadstone; magnet, magnetism, magnetic force; allectation^†, allective^†; temptation, enticement, agacerie^†, allurement, witchery; bewitchment, bewitchery; charm; spell etc. 993; fascination, blandishment, cajolery; seduction, seducement; honeyed words, voice of the tempter, song of the Sirens forbidden fruit, golden apple.    persuasibility^†, persuasibleness^†; attractability^†; impressibility, susceptibility; softness; persuasiveness, attractiveness; tantalization^†.    influence, prompting, dictate, instance; impulse, impulsion; incitement, incitation; press, instigation; provocation etc. (excitation of feeling) 824; inspiration; persuasion, suasion; encouragement, advocacy; exhortation; advice etc. 695; solicitation etc. (request) 765; lobbyism; pull [Slang].    incentive, stimulus, spur, fillip, whip, goad, ankus^†, rowel, provocative, whet, dram.    bribe, lure; decoy, decoy duck; bait, trail of a red herring; bribery and corruption; sop, sop for Cerberus.    prompter, tempter; seducer, seductor^†; instigator, firebrand, incendiary; Siren, Circe; agent provocateur; lobbyist.    ... show more

Give heart or courage to.

synonym: spur.

Roget 615: induce, move; draw, draw on; bring in its train, give an impulse etc. n.; to; inspire; put up to, prompt, call up; attract, beckon.    stimulate etc. (excite) 824; spirit up, inspirit; rouse, arouse; animate, incite, foment, provoke, instigate, set on, actuate; act upon, work upon, operate upon; encourage; pat on the back, pat on the shoulder, clap on the back, clap on the shoulder.    influence, weigh with, bias, sway, incline, dispose, predispose, turn the scale, inoculate; lead by the nose; have influence with, have influence over, have influence upon, exercise influence with, exercise influence over, exercise influence upon; go round, come round one; turn the head, magnetize; lobby.    persuade; prevail with, prevail upon; overcome, carry; bring round to one's senses, bring to one's senses; draw over, win over, gain over, come over, talk over; procure, enlist, engage; invite, court.    tempt, seduce, overpersuade^†, entice, allure, captivate, fascinate, bewitch, carry away, charm, conciliate, wheedle, coax, lure; inveigle; tantalize; cajole etc. (deceive) 545.    tamper with, bribe, suborn, grease the palm, bait with a silver hook, gild the pill, make things pleasant, put a sop into the pan, throw a sop to, bait the hook.    enforce, force; impel etc. (push) 276; propel etc. 284; whip, lash, goad, spur, prick, urge; egg on, hound, hurry on; drag etc. 285; exhort; advise etc. 695; call upon &c.; press etc. (request) 765; advocate.    set an example, set the fashion; keep in countenance.    be persuaded &c.; yield to temptation, come round; concede etc. (consent) 762; obey a call; follow advice, follow the bent, follow the dictates of; act on principle.    ... show more

Urge with or as if with a goad.

Stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick.

synonym: prick.

Annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism.

synonym: needle.

Dutch: aanmoedigen, proveceren, stimuleren