We have to nudge him to do the right thing.
Source: tatoeba (5282352)
Nudge
/nʌd͡ʒ/
Synonyms for "nudge" (309 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (62)
Strong matches (93)
exchange colorsflagflag downflareflashflogfog bellfog signalfog whistlefoghornforcegentle hintgesturegive a hintgive a signalgive the cuegive the nodglanceglimmerglimmering
Show 52 more words
go lightgoadgong buoygrazegreen lighthailhail and speakhalf-mastheadheliographhigh signhinthithoist a bannerhold the promptbookhurtlehustleimpelimpingeimpingementimpingenceimplicationindexindicationinduceinklinginnuendoinsinuationinternational alphabet flaginternational numeral pennantintimationjabjamjogjog the memoryjogglejoltjostlekickkisslashleerlookmake a signmarker beaconmemorializemobilizemotivatemovenagneedlenod
Adjective(5 words)
gentle pushgentle tuggradual policy preference changeimpulsive push gestureminor shove
Related words (154)
Noun(34 words)
osculateosculationparachute flarepile drivepilot flagpokepolice whistlepresspressureprickprodpromptprompt the mindpropelpunchpushput in mindput in remembrancequarantine flagradio beacon
Show 87 more words
raise a cryramram downrattlerecallred flagred lightrefresh the memoryrememberremindremind one ofrocketroman candlerubrunrun againstsailing aidsalutescentscrapesemaphoresemaphore flagsemaphore telegraphset in motionshakeshaveshouldershovesideswipesignsignalsignal beaconsignal bellsignal firesignal flagsignal gongsignal gunsignal lampsignal lightsignal mastsignal postsignal rocketsignal shotsignal sirensignal towersignalizeskimskirtsound an alarmsound the trumpetspar buoyspeakspoorspursqueak bystingstop lightstresssuggestsuggestionsuspicionsymptomtactiontamptangencytelltaletentative contactthe nodthe winkthrusttouchtouchingtracktraffic lighttraffic signalunfurl a flagwatch firewavewave a flagwave the handwhipwhisperwhite flagwigwagwigwag flagwinkyellow flag
Adjective(3 words)
persuasive promptshort movementshort thrust
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: actuate, adjust, aid to navigation, alarm, alter.
- Sentence evidence is available for nudge, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wiktionary, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "nudge".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "nudge"
Keep "nudge" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "nudge" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "nudge", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "nudge" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
8 entriesMore specific
11 entriesCollocations
8 entriesbehavioral nudgegentle nudgegive a nudgenudge effectnudge the slidernudge theorynudge toward a goalsmall nudge
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
1 entriesSample sentences
18 total sentences available.
Wink wink nudge nudge.
Source: tatoeba (5716389)
A little nudge might help.
Source: tatoeba (5742822)
Those plans range from sending a spacecraft to nudge the object onto a course safely away from Earth, or, if there was much less time, using nuclear weapons to break up or destroy the object.
Source: tatoeba (8731040)
Showing 4 of 18 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "nudge"?
Closest matches include actuate, adjust, aid to navigation, alarm, alter.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "nudge"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.