Goad

To provoke or encourage someone or something to do something, typically by means of annoyance or criticism. It implies a stimulus, often unpleasant, designed to elicit a specific reaction or action. The Goad can be a pointed stick used for driving cattle, hence its metaphorical application to human behaviour. The core meaning emphasizes the act of incitement, pushing someone or something beyond a point of passive acceptance and into a course of action, frequently involving a degree of urgency or antagonism.

Goad meaning with examples

• The constant criticism from her boss began to Goad Sarah into working harder, though she resented the methods. This persistent pressure spurred her to overperform, striving to prove her critics wrong, and finally succeeding. It finally produced results, even though she was tired. She knew the goading was to push her to excellence.
• The inflammatory headlines were designed to Goad readers into outrage, driving them to share the articles and further spread the controversy. It caused a stir in the media, as they discussed the implications of such a response, showing its effects on readership. It caused the exact desired reaction.
• The teacher used a series of challenging questions to Goad the students into a lively debate, hoping to stimulate deeper thinking and critical analysis. This method was meant to make them work, not to offend, so it was welcomed. This method also led to the desired outcome of a lively debate.
• A sense of injustice began to Goad the citizens into organized protest, after years of inaction and apathy. They could not simply sit by as things crumbled. This sense was not meant to anger them, so they would go crazy but actually to push them to do the right thing.
• The looming deadline served to Goad the procrastinating writer into finally finishing his novel. It was a much better, albeit stressful situation, because this goading had led to results and progress. The deadline was the much-needed push.