urge

1 of 2

verb

ˈərj 

urged; urging

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

—William 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

Synonyms

Verb

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

Noun

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

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

Police spokesperson Rob Shaw told WFTS that authorities are urging any witnesses with information about the crash to come forward. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Commissioner Cox urged any witnesses of the crash to contact the Boston Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

Parents can resist the urge to overparent by leaning on curiosity, patience, and trust. —Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Some birds can take up to two weeks to collect enough materials to satisfy their nesting urge. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing urge

• urge incontinence
• urge on

Rhymes for urge

• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge
• sturge
• surge
• verge
• converge
• diverge

Kids Definition

urge

1 of 2 verb

ˈərj 

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