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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Trump met personally with the GOP conference that morning, urging them to stop pushing for more changes and get behind the bill. Riley Beggin, USA Today, 23 May 2025 Since May 2024, Jupiter has moved through your zone of intimacy, depth, and mutual resources, urging you to be more discerning about emotional risk. Colin Bedell, Them., 22 May 2025
Noun
Cultivate sustained attention on tasks that need continuous mental effort, resisting the urge to multitask or switch topics often. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 But, having again started to write songs, Simon felt an urge to play the album in front of audiences. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for urge

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

Cite this Entry

“Urge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urge. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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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