urge

1 of 2

verb

ˈərj 

urged; urging

transitive verb

1

: to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly

an editorial urging readers to vote

… 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

A hand on my back urged me forward.

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

see also:

urge on

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 : a strong need or desire to do or have something

Synonyms of urge

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

During fall hunting season, Game and Fish urged the public to go easy on the state’s quails due to their low stock numbers. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, American manufacturers and China hawk legislators have urged caution. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 Feb. 2026

Noun

These include strong, sometimes uncontrollable urges and withdrawal to qualify as addiction. —ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026

During the first couple of months, people may feel the urge to vomit, nausea in the morning and abdominal discomfort. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026

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

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