Poke with tip of pointed stick (4)
I believe the answer is:
prod
'poke' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'with tip of pointed stick' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'tip of' indicates taking the first letters.
'stick' becomes 'rod' (I've seen this in another clue).
The first letter of 'pointed' is 'p'.
'p' put next to 'rod' is 'PROD'.
(Other definitions for prod that I've seen before include "Motivate; jab" , "Drop (anag.)" , "Goad, stimulate into action" , "Give a reminder" , "Push with pointed instrument" .)