goad
8 synonyms for goad, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long pointed stick used to prod animals into moving.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A long pointed stick used to prod animals into moving.
“The farmer used a goad to drive the cattle into the pen.”
How to use goad
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
goad someone into
goad someone on
Etymology
From Old English gad ("goad, spear point"), an ancient Germanic word related to terms for spears and piercing.
Full origin of goad →Frequently asked questions
What does “goad” mean?
The word “goad” means a long pointed stick used to prod animals into moving. In plain terms, to push someone into doing something, usually by teasing, daring, or provoking them.
How do you pronounce “goad”?
“Goad” is pronounced gohd (/ɡoʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “goad” in a sentence?
Here is “goad” used in a sentence: “The farmer used a goad to drive the cattle into the pen.”
What part of speech is “goad”?
Depending on how it is used, “goad” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “goad” come from?
The word “goad” comes from Old English. From Old English gad ("goad, spear point"), an ancient Germanic word related to terms for spears and piercing.
How many meanings does “goad” have?
“Goad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long pointed stick used to prod animals into moving.
