prompt
1 of 4verb
ˈpräm(p)t 
prompted; prompting; prompts
transitive verb
1
: to move to action : incite
2
: to assist (one acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : cue
3
: to serve as the inciting cause of
evidence prompting an investigation
prompter noun
prompt
2 of 4adjective (1)
: of or relating to prompting actors
prompt
3 of 4adjective (2)
1
: being ready and quick to act as occasion demands
2
: performed readily or immediately
prompt assistance
promptness
ˈpräm(p)t-nəs
noun ˈprämp-nəs
prompt
4 of 4noun
plural prompts ˈpräm(p)ts
ˈprämps
1
[prompt entry 1] : something that prompts : reminder
2
[prompt entry 3] : a limit of time given for payment of an account for goods purchased
also : the contract by which this time is fixed
Synonyms
Verb
- beget
- breed
- bring
- bring about
- bring on
- catalyze
- cause
- create
- do
- draw on
- effect
- effectuate
- engender
- generate
- induce
- invoke
- make
- occasion
- produce
- result (in)
- spawn
- translate (into)
- work
- yield
Adjective (2)
- immediate
- punctual
- speedy
- timely
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Curiosity prompted her to ask a few questions. Pride prompted his angry response. The evidence prompted a criminal investigation. “Did you hear me?” he prompted when his friend did not respond to his first question. The actor had to be prompted by someone who was standing offstage. The computer prompted me to type in a number. Noun The actor was given a prompt by someone offstage. See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Medieval Latin promptare, from Latin promptus prompt
Adjective (2)
Middle English, from Latin promptus ready, prompt, from past participle of promere to bring forth, from pro- forth + emere to take — more at redeem
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective (1)
1784, in the meaning defined above
Adjective (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing prompt
Kids Definition
prompt 1 of 2
verb
ˈprämpt
prompted; prompting
1
: to lead to do something
Curiosity prompted me to ask the question.
2
: to be the cause of
The incident prompted an investigation.
3
: to remind of something forgotten or poorly learned
Sometimes it's necessary to prompt an actor.
prompt
2 of 2adjective
prompter; promptest
1
: quick and ready to act
She's always prompt to volunteer.
2
: being on time : punctual
3
: done at once : given without delay
The patient needed prompt attention.
prompting 1 of 2
noun
as in influencing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- influencing
- tempting
- swaying
- pressuring
- urging
- coaxing
- lobbying
- seduction
- exhortation
- entreaty
- inducing
- persuading
- convincing
- wheedling
- inducement
- cajolery
- blandishment
- cajolement
- brainwashing
- conversion
- overpersuasion
- suasion
- persuasion
prompting
2 of 2verb
1
as in causing
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) a misguided pride prompted the family to refuse all offers of help Synonyms & Similar Words
- causing
- generating
- creating
- bringing
- spawning
- doing
- producing
- inducing
- invoking
- yielding
- working
- occasioning
- catalyzing
- making
- effecting
- engendering
- encouraging
- begetting
- effectuating
- bringing about
- introducing
- bringing forth
- bringing on
- drawing on
- breeding
- initiating
- inaugurating
- promoting
- giving rise to
- beginning
- launching
- pioneering
- instituting
- deciding
- starting
- establishing
- translating (into)
- determining
- resulting (in)
- founding
- fostering
- developing
- furthering
- forwarding
- enacting
- nurturing
- rendering
- cultivating
- fathering
- setting
- contributing (to)
- innovating
- advancing
- conducing (to)
- nourishing
- setting up
- turning out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- limiting
- restricting
- impeding
- quashing
- suppressing
- stifling
- quelling
- controlling
- crushing
- dampening
- checking
- restraining
- subduing
- squelching
- inhibiting
- squashing
- arresting
- smothering
- repressing
- curbing
- killing
- retarding
- destroying
- reining (in)
- stilling
- abolishing
- extinguishing
- demolishing
- quenching
- putting down
- clamping down (on)
- cracking down (on)
- liquidating
- canning
- snuffing (out)
2
as in urging
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action prompted the reluctant performer onto the stage with loud cheers and whistles Synonyms & Similar Words
- urging
- encouraging
- spurring
- nudging
- prodding
- exhorting
- coaxing
- goading
- pushing
- propelling
- provoking
- pressing
- imploring
- stimulating
- beseeching
- pressuring
- hurrying
- cajoling
- egging (on)
- importuning
- rushing
- inciting
- driving
- wheedling
- nagging
- adjuring
- instigating
- hustling
- needling
- fomenting
- blandishing
- high-pressuring
- soft-soaping
- stirring (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discouraging
- deterring
- dissuading
- checking
- restraining
- inhibiting
- curbing
- constraining
- braking
- holding back