urge

[urj]

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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.

Origin of urge

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

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

Synonyms for urge

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR urge ON THESAURUS.COM

4. incite, goad, stimulate, spur. 7. aver, asseverate.

Antonyms for urge

1–3. deter. 4, 5. discourage.

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

Related Words for urged

proposed, favored, recommended, praised, backed, approved, advanced, aided, promoted, commended, adopted, pushed, ratified, influenced, requested, moved, forced, advised, solicited, charged

Examples from the Web for urged

Contemporary Examples of urged

In several reports he urged the pit operators to safeguard the birds.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired.
David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News
December 9, 2014
He urged his son to help the Special Forces teams working in the area.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back
Kevin Maurer
December 8, 2014
The law professor, Benny Tai, urged the students to “retreat and take the spirit of the Umbrella Movement into the community.”
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong
Brendon Hong
December 4, 2014
For the last several months, prominent Democrats have urged Hispanics to make their voices heard on Election Day.
Latinos Aren’t a ‘Cheap Date’ for Democrats Anymore
Ruben Navarrette Jr.
November 11, 2014
Snyder remembered one more site in Hollister he urged me to visit.
Silicon Valley Mansions, Swallowed Alive
Geoff Manaugh
November 8, 2014

Historical Examples of urged

"He said he was poor," urged Billy, who had been rather taken with the ease of Arledge's manner.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
At parting, she urged Eudora to share her apartment for the night.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
"Do it good while you're doin' it," urged Uncle Peter, cheerfully.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Just because it would be so difficult to raise the hundred pounds she urged it.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
"But that way was so exciting," she urged, not at all convinced.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana

British Dictionary definitions for urged

urge

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 urged

urge

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

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.