urge

1 of 2

verb

urged; urging

transitive verb

1
: to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly
his conviction was upheld on a theory never urged at his … trialLeon 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 angerWilliam Shakespeare

intransitive verb

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

urge

2 of 2

noun

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 in a Sentence

Verb He is continually urging reform. The rescuers urged that we remain calm. an editorial urging readers to vote I urge you to reconsider. A hand on her back urged her forward. Noun the urge for something sweet He fought the urge to cry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The president also urged lawmakers to pass two measures that have been held up in Congress, a border security agreement and a supplemental funding for national security. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 During the event, Harris urged states that haven’t passed red flag laws to do so. Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024 Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., took to the floor during an hour of debate to urge lawmakers to vote yes. Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara, a conservative, urged the board to table the discussion for a week in light of Cronister’s letter. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Blinken urged Netanyahu not to launch an Israeli operation in the city of Rafah. Daniel Estrin, NPR, 22 Mar. 2024 Through her foundation, Foley urged President Obama to reform the United States’ international hostage policy. Max Ufberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 In last year’s State of the Tribes Address to legislators in Madison, Mole Lake Chairman Robert Van Zile urged lawmakers to legalize cannabis in Wisconsin. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 The Supreme Court urged the 5th Circuit to decide quickly whether the law would remain in effect while litigation continues. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
Those who are early in medical training may not have developed the experience and skill to select appropriate testing, and this can lead to a reactive urge to over-test in order to not miss a diagnosis. Brandon Peters, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2024 By all means, resist the urge to do pushups in your first-week boredom, says Rosenberg. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 All human beings are susceptible to this urge, not least the members of his own tribe. Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024 But like a folksy ear worm, the urge to find it within this wilderness of rock might be hard to shake. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Control the Itching As much as possible, resist the urge to itch your skin. Andrea Stanley, Health, 4 Mar. 2024 Dani romanticizes her disorder as rebellious taboo-breaking, and this leads her to make a troubling alliance online with someone else who represses urges: a pedophile. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Knowledge is power, and the urge to research your future endeavors is overwhelming. Essence, 4 Mar. 2024 That urge was reflected in his belief in aggressive action to defeat the British. Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of urge was circa 1555

Dictionary Entries Near urge

Cite this Entry

“Urge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urge. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

urge

1 of 2 verb
urged; urging
1
: to ask for or support earnestly
continually urging reform
2
: to try to persuade
urge a guest to stay longer
3
: to force or drive to some course or activity (as greater speed)
riders urging their horses on

urge

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of urging
2
: a strong desire especially to achieve a goal
the urge to win

More from Merriam-Webster on urge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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