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

• encourage

Noun

• desire
• craving
• longing
• thirst
• hunger

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

Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump met on Aug. 13 virtually with Zelenskyy and leaders of European countries who have urged Trump not to capitulate to Putin's demands during his solo meeting. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

Morales, who is barred from running due to term limits, has urged supporters to cast blank votes — a move seen by many as an attempt to undermine Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez, who is running independently under the Popular Alliance banner. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

Noun

Channels the inner, bestial urges to release an unworldly howl that pushes back any nearby enemies. —Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

Leaders stop feeling the urge to always be right or have the final word. —Wilson Luna, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 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