urge
- 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.
- 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.
- an act of urging; impelling action, influence, or force; impulse.
- an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse: the sex urge.
Origin of urge
Synonyms for urge
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for urge
Related Words for urge
longing, itch, weakness, lust, yearning, passion, impulse, appetite, compulsion, craving, recommend, force, favor, press, propose, support, advocate, request, push, commendExamples from the Web for urge
Contemporary Examples of urge
I need to resist my urge to talk them into my truth, just so I can feel more comfortable and secure.
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 KingdomLizzie Crocker
December 22, 2014
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 FaceAmy Zimmerman
December 11, 2014
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
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 CharmLegs McNeil
November 20, 2014
Historical Examples of urge
But why, when you know it does not, why should you thus perplex and urge me?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
In the one case, as she knew it, a girl under the urge of poverty had stolen.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Under the urge of it, he conquered—at last brought himself and his charge to the shore.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
He was moved in his simplicity to urge moderation by asserting the claims of his own personality.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
Have you any proof to urge in support of your assertion that the prisoner did not touch it?
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
urge
- (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
- a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning
Word Origin for urge
Word Origin and History for 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.
1610s, from urge (v.); in frequent use after c.1910.