urge

¹urge

verb \ˈərj\

urgedurg·ing

Definition of URGE

transitive verb

1

: to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly <his conviction was upheld on a theory never urged at his … trial — Leon Friedman>

2

: to undertake the accomplishment of with energy, swiftness, or enthusiasm <urge the attack>

3

a : solicit, entreat <urged him to keep trying>

b : to serve as a motive or reason for <urged by a sense of duty>

4

: to force or impel in an indicated direction or into motion or greater speed <the dog urged the sheep toward the gate>

5

: stimulate, provoke <urge not my father's anger — Shakespeare>

intransitive verb

: to declare, advance, or press earnestly a statement, argument, charge, or claim <urged for the adoption of the proposal>

— urg·er noun

Examples of URGE

1. He is continually urging reform.
2. The rescuers urged that we remain calm.
3. an editorial urging readers to vote
4. I urge you to reconsider.
5. A hand on her back urged her forward.

Origin of URGE

Latin urgēre to press, push, entreat — more at wreak

First Known Use: circa 1555

Related to URGE

Synonyms

egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, prompt

Related Words

drive, propel, spur, stimulate; hurry, hustle, push, rush; adjure, beseech, implore, importune; blandish, cajole, coax, soft-soap, wheedle; high-pressure, nag, needle, pressure; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir (up)

Near Antonyms

deter, discourage, dissuade; brake, check, constrain, curb, hold back, inhibit, restrain

²urge

noun

Definition of URGE

1

: the act or process of urging

2

: a force or impulse that urges; especially : a continuing impulse toward an activity or goal

Examples of URGE

1. the urge for something sweet
2. He fought the urge to cry.

First Known Use of URGE

circa 1618

Related to URGE

Synonyms

appetency, appetite, craving, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, jones [slang], letch, longing, lust, passion, pining, thirst, thirstiness, desire, yearning, yen

Related Words

compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal; liking, love, taste, weakness; eagerness, impatience; want, wish; necessity, need, requirement; obsession; acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, covetousness, cupidity, greed, greediness, rapaciousness, rapacity; cacoëthes, mania

Near Antonyms

abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; apathy, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal