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.

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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 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Snyder remembered one more site in Hollister he urged me to visit.
Silicon Valley Mansions, Swallowed Alive|Geoff Manaugh|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He urged me, as I understood it, to come downstairs and admire a man that was in the street.
An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language|N.A. Cuey-na-Gael
Colonel Taylor says that General Lee urged that the march of my troops should be hastened, and was chafed at their non-appearance.
From Manassas to Appomattox|James Longstreet
Still, as the inflation of the claims has been urged as an excuse for inattention to them, a word upon that point is desirable.
The War With Mexico, Volume I (of 2)|Justin H. Smith
I have disobeyed your behest; but you know not how I have been urged, and my pained soul cannot support the repetition.
The Sylph, Volume I and II|Georgiana Cavendish
I am aware it has been urged that this control may be best attained and exerted by means of a national bank.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents|James D. Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for urged

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 urged (1 of 2)

urge

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

Word Origin and History for urged (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.

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 urged

British Dictionary definitions for urged

urge

verb

noun

Word Origin for urge

Word Origin and History for urged (1 of 2)

urge

Word Origin and History for urged (1 of 2)

urge