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Synonyms

urge

American  
[urj] / ɜrdʒ /

verb (used with object)

urged, urging
  1. to push or force along; impel with force or vigor.

    to urge the cause along.

    Antonyms:
    deter
  2. to drive with incitement to speed or effort.

    to urge dogs on with shouts.

    Antonyms:
    deter
  3. to press, push, or hasten (the course, activities, etc.).

    to urge one's escape.

    Antonyms:
    deter
  4. to impel, constrain, or move to some action.

    urged by necessity.

    Synonyms:
    spur, stimulate, goad, incite
    Antonyms:
    discourage
  5. to endeavor to induce or persuade, as by entreaties; entreat or exhort earnestly.

    to urge a person to greater caution.

    Antonyms:
    discourage
  6. to press (something) upon the attention.

    to urge a claim.

  7. to insist on, allege, or assert with earnestness.

    to urge the need of haste.

    Synonyms:
    asseverate, aver
  8. to press by persuasion or recommendation, as for acceptance, performance, or use; recommend or advocate earnestly.

    to urge a plan of action.


verb (used without object)

urged, urging
  1. to exert a driving or impelling force; give an impulse to haste or action.

    Hunger urges.

  2. to make entreaties or earnest recommendations.

  3. to press arguments or allegations, as against a person, action, or cause.

    The senator urged against the confirmation of the appointment.

noun

  1. an act of urging; impelling action, influence, or force; impulse.

  2. an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse.

    the sex urge.

urge British  
/ ɜːdʒ /

verb

  1. (tr) to plead, press, or move (someone to do something)

    we urged him to surrender

  2. (tr; may take a clause as object) to advocate or recommend earnestly and persistently; plead or insist on

    to urge the need for safety

  3. (tr) to impel, drive, or hasten onwards

    he urged the horses on

  4. archaic (tr) to stimulate, excite, or incite

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overurge verb
  • unurged adjective
  • unurging adjective
  • urgingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of urge

First recorded in 1550–60, urge is from the Latin word urgēre to press, force, drive, urge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Finance chiefs said they have urged colleagues to welcome lessons from recent college graduates about how to use AI while encouraging midlevel employees reluctant to use new AI tools to embrace change.

From The Wall Street Journal

Political figures aligned with the group also issued public statements urging the Iranian ambassador to ignore the decision.

From Los Angeles Times

Calling the US air traffic control system "old" and in need of an upgrade, Homendy urged against assigning blame.

From BBC

Environmental campaigners have called for faster action and urged all political parties to set out their climate commitments.

From BBC

Kaplan defined God as a spiritual and ethical power that exists within us and that urges us to do good in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal