GOAD
| Pronunciation (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does goad mean?
• GOAD (noun)
The noun GOAD has 2 senses:
1. a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion
2. a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
Familiarity information: GOAD used as a noun is rare.
• GOAD (verb)
The verb GOAD has 4 senses:
1. give heart or courage to
2. urge with or as if with a goad
3. stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
4. goad or provoke,as by constant criticism
Familiarity information: GOAD used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• GOAD (noun)
Meaning:
A pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
goad; prod
Hypernyms ("goad" is a kind of...):
device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "goad"):
ankus (an elephant goad with a sharp spike and a hook)
gad; spur (a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward)
Meaning:
A verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
urging; spurring; spur; prodding; prod; goading; goad
Context example:
the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves
Hypernyms ("goad" is a kind of...):
encouragement (the expression of approval and support)
• GOAD (verb)
Meaning:
Give heart or courage to
Classified under:
Verbs of feeling
Synonyms:
goad; spur
Hypernyms (to "goad" is one way to...):
encourage (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Meaning:
Urge with or as if with a goad
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "goad" is one way to...):
egg on; incite; prod (urge on; cause to act)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "goad"):
spur (goad with spurs)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Meaning:
Stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
goad; prick
Hypernyms (to "goad" is one way to...):
jab; stab (stab or pierce)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Goad or provoke,as by constant criticism
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
needle; goad
Context example:
He needled her with his sarcastic remarks
Hypernyms (to "goad" is one way to...):
beset; chevvy; chevy; chivvy; chivy; harass; harry; hassle; molest; plague; provoke (annoy continually or chronically)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
