urge

[ urj ]

/ ɜrdʒ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR urge ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), urged, urg·ing.

to push or force along; impel with force or vigor: to urge the cause along.

to drive with incitement to speed or effort: to urge dogs on with shouts.

to press, push, or hasten (the course, activities, etc.): to urge one's escape.

to impel, constrain, or move to some action: urged by necessity.

to endeavor to induce or persuade, as by entreaties; entreat or exhort earnestly: to urge a person to greater caution.

to press (something) upon the attention: to urge a claim.

to insist on, allege, or assert with earnestness: to urge the need of haste.

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, urg·ing.

to exert a driving or impelling force; give an impulse to haste or action: Hunger urges.

to make entreaties or earnest recommendations.

to press arguments or allegations, as against a person, action, or cause: The senator urged against the confirmation of the appointment.

noun

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

an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse: the sex urge.

Nearby words

urey, urey, harold clayton, urfa, urfé, urga, urge, urge incontinence, urgel, urgency, urgency incontinence, urgent

Origin of urge

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

SYNONYMS FOR urge

4 incite, goad, stimulate, spur.

7 aver, asseverate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR urge ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR urge

1–3 deter.

4, 5 discourage.

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Related formsurg·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·urge, verb, o·ver·urged, o·ver·urg·ing.un·urged, adjectiveun·urg·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for urge

I need to resist my urge to talk them into my truth, just so I can feel more comfortable and secure.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But not even the threat of death can suppress the urge to live vicariously through Jack Dawson and James Bond.
North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit Kingdom|Lizzie Crocker|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They're also proof that no matter how fancy you are, you can't escape the urge to watch two girls make out.
High-End Pervs Film Benedict Cumberbatch and Reese Witherspoon Sucking Face|Amy Zimmerman|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, about five years ago, I had this urge to dabble with it again.
Stephen Merchant Talks ‘Hello Ladies’ movie, the Nicole Kidman Cameo, and Legacy of ‘The Office’|Marlow Stern|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Anger Is an Energy is a tremendously entertaining read, and I urge everyone to pick up a copy and start dreaming again.
The Rancid Ballad of Johnny Rotten: His Memoir Seethes With Anger—And Charm|Legs McNeil|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Doesn't this urge you to pity, so that you will beg His Holiness for pardon, beg him to receive us?
Three Plays|Luigi Pirandello
He had scarcely arrived when he made every exertion to urge it to adopt measures of severity.
History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, Volume III|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
A favourable wind would tear the field loose from the cliffs and urge it to sea.
Billy Topsail, M.D.|Norman Duncan
I shall not proceed further to urge that the Christian apologetic in relation to biology has been successful.
Evolution in Modern Thought|Ernst Haeckel
The importance of this last to the liberty and property of our citizens, induces me to urge it on your earliest attention.'
Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson|Thomas Jefferson

British Dictionary definitions for urge

urge

/ (ɜːdʒ) /

verb

(tr) to plead, press, or move (someone to do something)we urged him to surrender

(tr; may take a clause as object) to advocate or recommend earnestly and persistently; plead or insist onto urge the need for safety

(tr) to impel, drive, or hasten onwardshe urged the horses on

(tr) archaic, or literary to stimulate, excite, or incite

noun

a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning

Word Origin for urge

C16: from Latin urgēre

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

Word Origin and History for urge (1 of 2)

urge

1550s, from Latin urgere "to press hard, push, drive, compel," from PIE root *werg- "to work" (cf. Avestan vareza "work, activity;" Greek ergon "work," orgia "religious performances," organon "tool;" Armenian gorc "work;" Lithuanian verziu "tie, fasten, squeeze," vargas "need, distress;" Old Church Slavonic vragu "enemy;" Gothic waurkjan, Old English wyrcan "work;" Gothic wrikan "persecute," Old English wrecan "drive, hunt, pursue;" Old Norse yrka "work, take effect"). Related: Urged; urging.

Word Origin and History for urge (1 of 2)

urge

1610s, from urge (v.); in frequent use after c.1910.

urge

verb (used with object), urged, urg·ing.

verb (used without object), urged, urg·ing.

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of urge

Examples from the Web for urge

British Dictionary definitions for urge

urge

verb

noun

Word Origin for urge

Word Origin and History for urge (1 of 2)

urge

Word Origin and History for urge (1 of 2)

urge