prompted; prompting; prompts
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
: of or relating to prompting actors
1
: being ready and quick to act as occasion demands
2
: performed readily or immediately
prompt assistance
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
Examples of prompt in a Sentence
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.
Adjective (2)
prompt treatment of snakebites is always advisable
our waiter was prompt and courteous despite the fact that the restaurant was understaffed
Noun
The actor was given a prompt by someone offstage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
Njoroge was last seen at his residence at 128 West 61st Terrace around 12:01 a.m. Sunday, prompting police to issue a Silver Advisory.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2024
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2024
In rare cases, headaches can signify a more serious underlying condition requiring prompt medical attention.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 July 2024
Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 10 July 2024
Chord changes, song keys and tempos are often scrawled in the margins, necessary reminders for a catalog spanning six decades and for a band that might need that head nod or hand signal as a prompt during one of their massive stadium shows.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prompt 
Verb
President Biden and other Democrats are increasingly focusing their attacks on an aggressive right-wing agenda called Project 2025 that is being pushed by allies of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump — prompting Trump and his team to lash out in recent days at supporters of the effort.
—Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
Njoroge was last seen at his residence at 128 West 61st Terrace around 12:01 a.m. Sunday, prompting police to issue a Silver Advisory.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2024
Adjective
Today’s top stories Extreme heat in California Extreme heat and elevated fire risk prompt power shutoffs in Northern California.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2024
In rare cases, headaches can signify a more serious underlying condition requiring prompt medical attention.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 July 2024
Noun
It is also buried within some Google apps, allowing Fold and Flip owners to search for and book travel, discover detailed information, and call up artist details when watching YouTube videos with simple voice prompts.
—Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 10 July 2024
Chord changes, song keys and tempos are often scrawled in the margins, necessary reminders for a catalog spanning six decades and for a band that might need that head nod or hand signal as a prompt during one of their massive stadium shows.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prompt
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prompt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prompt
Cite this Entry
“Prompt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prompt. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share