urge

[ urj ]

verb (used with object)

urged, urging.

1. to push or force along; impel with force or vigor:

   to urge the cause along.

   Antonyms: deter

2. to drive with incitement to speed or effort:

   to urge dogs on with shouts.

   Antonyms: deter

3. to press, push, or hasten (the course, activities, etc.):

   to urge one's escape.

   Antonyms: deter

4. to impel, constrain, or move to some action:

   urged by necessity.

   Synonyms: spur, stimulate, goad, incite

   Antonyms: discourage

5. to endeavor to induce or persuade, as by entreaties; entreat or exhort earnestly:

   to urge a person to greater caution.

   Antonyms: discourage

6. to press (something) upon the attention:

   to urge a claim.

7. to insist on, allege, or assert with earnestness:

   to urge the need of haste.

   Synonyms: asseverate, aver

8. to press by persuasion or recommendation, as for acceptance, performance, or use; recommend or advocate earnestly:

   to urge a plan of action.

verb (used without object)

urged, urging.

1. to exert a driving or impelling force; give an impulse to haste or action:

   Hunger urges.

2. to make entreaties or earnest recommendations.
3. to press arguments or allegations, as against a person, action, or cause:

   The senator urged against the confirmation of the appointment.

noun

1. an act of urging; impelling action, influence, or force; impulse.
2. an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse:

   the sex urge.

urge

/ ɜːdʒ /

verb

1. tr to plead, press, or move (someone to do something)

   we urged him to surrender

2. tr; may take a clause as object to advocate or recommend earnestly and persistently; plead or insist on

   to urge the need for safety

3. tr to impel, drive, or hasten onwards

   he urged the horses on

4. archaic.
   tr to stimulate, excite, or incite

noun

1. a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning

Other Word Forms

• urging·ly adverb
• over·urge verb overurged overurging
• un·urged adjective
• un·urging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urge¹

First recorded in 1550–60, urge is from the Latin word urgēre to press, force, drive, urge

Word History and Origins

Origin of urge¹

C16: from Latin urgēre

Example Sentences

European diplomats said they would urge the US to put more pressure on Russia to agree an unconditional ceasefire.

From BBC

They also urged Lords to consider if guaranteeing workers fixed-hours contracts could backfire, reduce flexibility for both employers and staff, and introduce unnecessary administrative costs.

From BBC

On top of the steep fines, the county plans to urge social media platforms to enforce their own terms and conditions that already prohibit promoting illegal activities by removing and demonetize posts on street takeovers.

From Los Angeles Times

Staffordshire Police said the woman's family was being supported by specialist officers and urged anyone with information to contact the force.

From BBC

One urged the platform to hurry up and fix the issue as they were at the gym, while another pleaded for a quick fix as the loss of music was disrupting their revision.

From BBC

Related Words

• appetite
• compulsion
• craving
• impulse
• itch
• longing
• lust
• passion
• weakness
• yearning