1
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past
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2
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the car salesman nudged me into taking a test-drive, even though I had said that I was just looking
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of nudge
Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
But Carroll is 73 and appeared done when he was nudged out the door by the Seahawks after the 2023 season — although his contract paid him $15 million through this season.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Chip, sensing something is wrong, gently approaches his older sister, nudging and licking her face in an apparent attempt to comfort her.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Along with resonate vocals from both, credit Mars’ rhythmic instincts for including drums that power the urgency of the song’s lyrics, with fills nudging the chorus instead of existing merely as a backbeat.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nudge 
Verb
The Biden administration has nudged cities to loosen zoning rules that restrict apartments and other more affordable housing.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
But Carroll is 73 and appeared done when he was nudged out the door by the Seahawks after the 2023 season — although his contract paid him $15 million through this season.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Chip, sensing something is wrong, gently approaches his older sister, nudging and licking her face in an apparent attempt to comfort her.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Along with resonate vocals from both, credit Mars’ rhythmic instincts for including drums that power the urgency of the song’s lyrics, with fills nudging the chorus instead of existing merely as a backbeat.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge
Verb
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McCourt brushed off the suggestion as outside the parameters of true capitalism.—
Clare Malone,
The New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2025
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Despite attempts to address the issue, the older sister consistently brushed off her concerns.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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County officials apologized Friday after residents across the Los Angeles area continued to receive erroneous emergency alerts that urged them to prepare to evacuate, even though many were not close to any of the fires sweeping across the foothills of the sprawling metropolis.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2025
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Rice is not the only player to urge the crowd to push them on this season.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The creator program marks the latest push from Dub to sway mom-and-pop investors to its platform, which encourages users to forgo traditional stock picking and instead duplicate other traders’ portfolios.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2025
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Poland, the Baltic states, and the Nordic countries would all feel threatened by any U.S. push to force what amounts to a Ukrainian surrender.—
Ian Bremmer,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Busch and his team would love to pose for more pictures kissing the bricks at IMS following Sunday’s race.—
Clifton Brown,
Indianapolis Star,
17 July 2017
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The trainer turns and kisses one of the man-eaters on the nose.—
Holly Millea,
Smithsonian,
29 June 2017
Verb
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To encourage these reforms, state governments and the federal government should provide funding and incentives to cities and townships to undertake structural zoning reforms.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
13 Jan. 2025
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Mac’s Power Play Reading Club Visit Mavericks players will visit December’s top-performing classroom from the team’s literacy program, celebrating the students’ achievements and encouraging a love of reading.—
Ben DeLaForest,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Symptoms include: Hallucinations or delusions Increased heart rate Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Dizziness Muscle jerks Sweating or flushing Seizures Effexor is not approved for children but is sometimes used off-label for anxiety and depression disorders.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
17 Jan. 2025
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Among the new food items on sale during the Seven Seas Food Festival will be Jamaican jerk chicken and pork pincho at the Caribbean Market; garlic toast chicken parmigiana (Italian Market), strawberry pouffe (Irish Market) and veggie samosas (Indian market).—
Dewayne Bevil,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, the 10 -year Treasury yield — used to price mortgages, credit cards and auto loans — touched its highest level going back to November 2023 , heading toward the key 5% level that could further pressure an already fragile market.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2025
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As He's Banned CCTV Captures What Dog Does for the First Time—Rest of the Pack Is Confused Kai's incredible rescue quickly touched people's hearts, bringing in more than 6 million views and 808,200 likes on TikTok.—
John Mac Ghlionn,
Newsweek,
14 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near nudge
Cite this Entry
“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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