urge
verb (used with object)
to push or force along; impel with force or vigor.
had been urging
-
past perfect progressiveof urge.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Trump’s personal lawyer and legal coordinator, Boris Epshteyn, had been urging the firm to add the Carroll matter to its portfolio, according to people familiar with his request.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
He had been urging ministers to commit to a large-scale plant, with US firm Westinghouse having reportedly presented plans to build a new gigawatt station at the site.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2025
That made Wade’s withdrawal, which many observers had been urging, the best way to begin to clean up a distracting mess while allowing Willis to continue leading her office and its highest-profile prosecution.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2024
Until the ruling, Karamo had been urging her supporters to attend the previously planned convention in downtown Detroit.
From Slate ● Feb. 29, 2024
As good as Farmer was as a clinical doctor, Hiatt had been urging him to rethink his priorities, including reducing his Haiti involvement to the role of consultant.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
