goad

/ˈgōd/

verb

  1. to incite or rouse as if with a goad

  2. to drive (an animal) with a goad

was goaded into fighting with another player

noun

  1. a pointed rod used to urge on an animal

  2. something that urges or stimulates into action : spur

  3. something that pains as if by pricking : thorn

motive impulse incentive inducement spur goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act. impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.