Nudge: meaning, example and synonyms
Nudgev. To push gently, or to encourage someone gradually toward an action.
Example
Rather than banning sugary drinks, the cafeteria nudged students toward healthier choices by placing water at eye level and moving sodas to a back shelf.
- Part of speech
- verb
- Synonyms
- prod, prompt, push, coax
- Antonyms
- deter, discourage, restrain, hold back
- Memory tip
- A nudge is a gentle elbow: a small push, not a shove.
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Check yourself: Nudge in context
Rather than order the committee to change course, the chair tried to gently ______ its members toward compromise with a few well-timed questions.
Answer: nudge. Gently steering people toward compromise, rather than ordering, is to nudge them. excavate (dig up), festoon (decorate with garlands) and abut (border on) don't fit this context.
The researchers found that simply mailing reminder postcards could ______ hesitant voters to the polls without any change in campaign spending.
Answer: nudge. A small reminder that gently pushes hesitant voters to act is a way to nudge them. festoon (decorate with garlands), abut (border on) and excavate (dig up) don't fit this context.