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

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

Phrases

urge on

: to encourage (someone or something) to move ahead, do something, etc.

riders urging their horses on

I wanted to quit but she urged me on.

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

The launch comes after a bipartisan push on Capitol Hill and follows a unanimous Senate resolution in June urging streaming platforms to carry the nonprofit network. —Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 8 Dec. 2025

Earlier, Kihara urged people in affected areas to evacuate to higher ground or move to safe buildings, such as evacuation shelters. —Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025

Noun

And China’s myopic urge to cut off reliance on US technology is actually a weakness that the US could exploit. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Season 2 doesn’t follow the sequel, but Novak felt the urge to return to the story for fans. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Dec. 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

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