· give heart or courage to

Synonym(s): spur

Hypernym(s): encourage

· urge with or as if with a goad

Hypernym(s): prod, incite, egg_on

· stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick

Synonym(s): prick

Hypernym(s): stab, jab

· annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism; "He needled her with his sarcastic remarks"

Synonym(s): needle

Hypernym(s): harass, hassle, harry, chivy, chivvy, chevy, chevvy, beset, plague, molest, provoke

· compelled forcibly by an outside agency; "mobs goaded by blind hatred"

Synonym(s): driven