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
Drivers are urged to use caution while traveling in the area. Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 1 Oct. 2024 Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cincinnati Police Department's traffic unit at 513-352-2514. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
Continue regular interactions and check-ins, resisting the urge to withdraw. Gena Cox, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 On election night, there will be plenty of competition and an urge to be first. Rob Wells / Made By History, TIME, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for urge 

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 13 Oct. 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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