Meaning & use
goading
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“goading” is a form of “goad”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
The -ing form of goad: pushing someone into doing something by repeated teasing, insults or pressure.
Grammar: Needs an object and often into or to: goading him into a fight.
Patterns
- goading someone into something
- goading someone to do something
- goading someone on
The older boys were goading him into jumping off the pier.
She kept goading her brother until he finally lost his temper.
Fans were goading the striker with chants all game.
verbtransitiveold-fashioned
Driving a farm animal forward with a pointed stick.
Grammar: Takes an animal as object; now mostly historical or figurative.
Patterns
- goading cattle
The drover was goading the oxen up the hill.
Farmers once spent hours goading stubborn mules.
He walked behind, goading the herd across the field.
noununcountabledisapproving
Repeated provocation meant to push someone to react.
Grammar: Used as a noun: despite the goading, he stayed calm.
Patterns
- goading from someone
He ignored the constant goading from his classmates.
The goading finally worked, and she snapped.
Online goading often escalates into real arguments.
Word forms
| base form | goad |
|---|---|
| third person singular | goads |
| past tense | goaded |
| past participle | goaded |
Common combinations
- goading someone into
- She accused him of goading her into an argument.
- goading on
- The crowd was goading on the two rivals.
- constant goading
- The constant goading wore him down.
- stop goading
- Stop goading the dog; it might bite.
- deliberately goading
- Reporters were deliberately goading the coach.
Synonyms and how they differ
- provoking
- Provoking is broader and can happen once, while goading implies repeated nagging.
- taunting
- Taunting centers on mocking words, whereas goading aims to make someone act.
- egging on
- Egging on is informal and may encourage someone toward something fun, while goading is more hostile.
- needling
- Needling is gentler and about small irritating remarks, while goading pushes toward a reaction or action.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: goading or coaxing? goading or goalie?
goading vs coaxing
Coaxing persuades gently and kindly; goading uses annoyance or insult.
goading vs goalie
A goalie is a goalkeeper; the similar spelling has no link to goading.
Practice
The crowd kept ______ him with insults, hoping he would react.
Choose one answer.
Goading means provoking through repeated pressure or insults. Coaxing is tempting but uses gentle persuasion.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “goading”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.