goading

This term carries a strong connotation of irritation and persistence. It describes a psychological pressure that is often unwelcome, where the instigator uses annoyance or criticism as a tool to force a reaction. While "encouragement" is positive and "coercion" is forceful, goading occupies a middle ground of provocative nagging.

As a noun, the word functions as a gerund describing the process of provocation. It is typically used in contexts involving social dynamics, such as peer pressure or interpersonal conflict, where the goal is to incite a specific, often impulsive, response from the target.