Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense urges, present participle urging, past tense, past participle urged
1. verb
If you urge someone to do something, you try hard to persuade them to do it.
They urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Firemen urged them to go to the shelter. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Synonyms: beg, appeal to, exhort [formal], press More Synonyms of urge
2. verb
If you urge someone somewhere, you make them go there by touching them or talking to them.
He slipped his arm around her waist and urged her away from the window. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
'Come on, Grace,' he was urging her, 'don't wait, hurry up.' [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you urge a course of action, you strongly advise that it should be taken.
He urged restraint on the security forces. [VERB noun + on]
We urge vigorous action to be taken immediately. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: advocate, suggest, recommend, advise More Synonyms of urge
4. countable noun [oft NOUN to-infinitive]
If you have an urgeto do or have something, you have a strong wish to do or have it.
He had an urge to open a shop of his own.
Resist the urge to nap during the day.
Synonyms: impulse, longing, wish, desire More Synonyms of urge
Phrasal verbs:
See urge on
urge in British English
(ɜːdʒ)
verb
1. (transitive)
to plead, press, or move (someone to do something)
we urged him to surrender
2. (tr; may take a clause as object)
to advocate or recommend earnestly and persistently; plead or insist on
to urge the need for safety
3. (transitive)
to impel, drive, or hasten onwards
he urged the horses on
4. (transitive) archaic or literary
to stimulate, excite, or incite
noun
5.
a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning
Word origin
C16: from Latin urgēre
urge in American English
(ɜrdʒ)
verb transitiveWord forms: urged or ˈurging
1.
a.
to press upon the attention; present or speak of earnestly and repeatedly; plead, allege, or advocate strongly
to urge caution
b.
to entreat or plead with; ask, persuade, or solicit earnestly; press; exhort
2.
to stimulate or incite; provoke
3.
to drive or force onward; press forward; impel
4.
to ply (oars, etc.) vigorously
verb intransitive
5.
to make an earnest presentation of arguments, claims, charges, entreaties, etc.
6.
to exert a force that drives or impels, as to action
noun
7.
the act of urging
8.
an impulse to do a certain thing; impelling influence or force, esp. an inner drive
SYNONYMY NOTE: urge implies a strong effort to persuade someone to do something, as by entreaty, argument,or forceful recommendation [he urged us to leave]; exhort implies an earnest urging or admonishing to action or conduct considered proper orright [the minister exhorted his flock to work for peace]; press1 suggests a continuous, insistent urging that is difficult to resist [we pressed her to stay]; importune implies persistent efforts to break down resistance against a demand or request,often to the point of being annoying or wearisome [too proud to importune for help]
Derived forms
urger (ˈurger)
noun
Word origin
L urgere, to press hard: see wreak
Examples of 'urge' in a sentence
urge
We would urge people to refrain from such activity.
The Sun (2016)
He is driven by the urge to win back the wife who left him for a colleague.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She urged people not to feel pressured into tipping and to check bills for a service charge.
The Sun (2017)
It was all about a shadowy cabal who resist urges from their earth mother not to make war on their enemies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Resist the urge for instant gratification.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I strongly urge you not to repeat this action.
The Sun (2017)
A bespoke deal is also being urged for financial services.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The caller urges the often elderly victims to transfer their money to a'safe' account set up in their name.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She urges clients to tell their spouse that they're filing for divorce so they don't find out about it from the news.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They also urge the government to set out how it will ensure that only patients who want to go home leave hospital between 11pm and 6am.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We would urge motorists to shop around.
The Sun (2010)
The charity has been urged to reform its way of electing its trustees.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has urged restraint on his ministers.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Hundreds of people have urged the trust to act.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Motorists will be urged to drive outside busy times and turn off their engines when idling.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Who could resist the urge to follow her?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has also urged banks to be responsible over bonus payouts to top bankers.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
That control is bound to be in some conflict with his more basic inner urges.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
The urge to shop is born out of hope.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is the inventive urge that often results from spending too much time with computers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She also urged reforms to ensure that bereaved relatives have legal representation at inquests.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It showed the yellow cartoon creatures urging people to drive carefully.
The Sun (2015)
Resist the urge to take control and lead it yourself.
Christianity Today (2000)
It also urges using plastic glasses and hiring extra door staff.
The Sun (2010)
Taxpayers are being urged to take action as soon as possible to take full advantage of the changes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The scathing report urges drastic action after finding that the voting system remains dangerously inefficient and open to fraud.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We strongly urge the Government to design a new approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
MPs appealed for calm, urging people to allow the judiciary to deal with the issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I would urge most strongly that the parties attempt to find a resolution.
The Sun (2015)
As the client is urged to produce his symptom on purpose, he faces his fear at the same time.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVELY FEARLESS: Breaking free of the fears that hold you back (2001)
I urge restraint and mutter something inane about the comfort to be drawn from being part of the moral majority.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
urge
British English: urge VERB
If you urge someone to do something, you try hard to persuade them to do it.
They urged her to approve plans for their reform program.
American English: urge
Brazilian Portuguese: insistir
Chinese: 敦促某人做某事
European Spanish: insistir
French: pousser
German: drängen
Italian: fare pressione su
Japanese: せきたてる
Korean: 하도록 재촉하다
European Portuguese: insistir
Latin American Spanish: insistir
British English: urge NOUN
If you have an urge to do or have something, you have a strong wish to do or have it.
He had an urge to open a shop of his own.
American English: urge
Brazilian Portuguese: impulso
Chinese: 强烈欲望
European Spanish: impulso
French: forte envieN
German: Verlangen
Italian: forte desiderio
Japanese: 強い衝動
Korean: 충동
European Portuguese: impulso
Latin American Spanish: impulso
Chinese translation of 'urge'
urge
(əːdʒ)
n(c)
冲(衝)动(動) (chōngdòng) (种(種), zhǒng)
vt
to urge sb to do sth怂(慫)恿某人做某事 (sǒngyǒng mǒurén zuò mǒushì)
to urge caution强(強)调(調)要谨(謹)慎 (qiángdiào yào jǐnshèn)
to have an urge to do sth强(強)烈地想要做某事 (qiángliè de xiǎng yào zuò mǒushì)
an urge for revenge复(復)仇的强(強)烈欲(慾)望 (fùchóu de qiángliè yùwàng)
All related terms of 'urge'
urge on
激励(勵) jīlì
to urge caution
强(強)调(調)要谨(謹)慎 qiángdiào yào jǐnshèn
an urge for revenge
复(復)仇的强(強)烈欲(慾)望 fùchóu de qiángliè yùwàng
to urge sb to do sth
怂(慫)恿某人做某事 sǒngyǒng mǒurén zuò mǒushì
to have an urge to do sth
强(強)烈地想要做某事 qiángliè de xiǎng yào zuò mǒushì
1 (verb)
Definition
to plead with or press someone to do something
They urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme.
Synonyms
beg
I begged him to come back to England with me.
appeal to
exhort (formal)
Kennedy exhorted his listeners to turn away from violence.
press
The trade unions are pressing him to stand firm.
prompt
The recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.
plead
He was kneeling on the floor pleading for mercy.
put pressure on
lean on
solicit
She was soliciting a donation from a rich tycoon.
goad
He goaded me into taking direct action.
implore
`Tell me what to do!' she implored him.
enjoin
She enjoined me strictly not to tell anyone else.
beseech
She beseeched him to take more exercise.
pressurize
He thought she was trying to pressurize him into agreeing.
entreat
They entreated the audience to stay calm.
twist someone's arm (informal)
put the heat on (informal)
put the screws on (informal)
2 (verb)
Definition
to advocate earnestly and persistently
He urged restraint on the security forces.
Synonyms
advocate
They advocate fewer government controls on business.
suggest
I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past.
recommend
I recommend that you consult your doctor.
advise
I would strongly advise against it.
back
He is backed by the civic movement.
support
I've supported Newcastle all my life.
champion
He passionately championed the poor.
counsel
My advisors counselled me to do nothing.
insist on
endorse
I can endorse this statement wholeheartedly.
push for
Opposites
discourage
,
deter
,
dissuade
,
warn
,
caution
(noun)
Definition
a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning
He had an urge to open a shop of his own.
Synonyms
impulse
I resisted an impulse to smile.
longing
He felt a longing for the familiar.
wish
Clearly she had no wish for his company.
desire
I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
fancy
His interest was just a passing fancy.
drive
Hunger is one of the most basic and primitive drives of human behaviour.
yen (informal)
Mike had a yen to try cycling.
hunger
He has a hunger for success that seems bottomless.
appetite
our growing appetite for scandal
craving
I had a sudden craving for a cheese sandwich.
yearning
He spoke of his yearning for another child.
itch (informal)
an insatiable itch to switch from channel to channel
thirst
their ever-growing thirst for cash
compulsion
He felt a compulsion to talk about his sporting achievements all the time.
hankering
Have you always had a hankering to be an actress?
Opposites
reluctance
,
aversion
,
disinclination
,
distaste
,
repugnance
,
indisposition
phrasal verb
See urge someone on
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advise
Definition
to offer advice to
I would strongly advise against it.
Synonyms
recommend,
suggest,
urge,
counsel,
advocate,
caution,
prescribe,
commend,
admonish,
enjoin
in the sense of appetite
Definition
a liking or willingness
our growing appetite for scandal
Synonyms
desire,
liking,
longing,
demand,
taste,
passion,
stomach,
hunger,
willingness,
relish,
craving,
yearning,
inclination,
zeal,
zest,
propensity,
hankering,
proclivity,
appetence,
appetency
in the sense of back
He is backed by the civic movement.
Synonyms
support,
help,
second,
aid,
champion,
encourage,
favour,
defend,
promote,
sanction,
sustain,
assist,
advocate,
endorse,
side with,
stand up for,
espouse,
stand behind,
countenance,
abet,
stick up for (informal),
take up the cudgels for
Synonyms of 'urge'
urge
Explore 'urge' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of beseech
Definition
to ask earnestly
She beseeched him to take more exercise.
Synonyms
beg,
ask,
petition,
call upon,
plead with,
solicit,
implore,
entreat,
importune (formal),
adjure,
supplicate,
pray
in the sense of champion
Definition
to support
He passionately championed the poor.
Synonyms
support,
back,
defend,
promote,
advocate,
fight for,
uphold,
espouse,
stick up for (informal),
endorse
in the sense of compulsion
Definition
an irresistible urge to perform some action
He felt a compulsion to talk about his sporting achievements all the time.
Synonyms
urge,
need,
obsession,
necessity,
preoccupation,
drive
in the sense of counsel
Definition
to recommend or urge
My advisors counselled me to do nothing.
Synonyms
advise,
recommend,
advocate,
prescribe,
warn,
urge,
caution,
instruct,
exhort (formal),
admonish
in the sense of craving
I had a sudden craving for a cheese sandwich.
Synonyms
longing,
hope,
desire,
urge,
yen (informal),
hunger,
appetite,
ache,
lust,
yearning,
thirst,
hankering,
the munchies (slang),
cacoethes
in the sense of desire
Definition
a wish or longing
I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
Synonyms
wish,
want,
longing,
need,
hope,
urge,
yen (informal),
hunger,
appetite,
aspiration,
ache,
craving,
yearning,
inclination,
thirst,
hankering
in the sense of drive
Definition
a motive or interest
Hunger is one of the most basic and primitive drives of human behaviour.
Synonyms
desire,
need,
urge,
instinct,
appetite
in the sense of endorse
Definition
to give approval or support to
I can endorse this statement wholeheartedly.
Synonyms
approve,
back,
support,
champion,
favour,
promote,
recommend,
sanction,
sustain,
advocate,
warrant,
prescribe,
uphold,
authorize,
ratify,
affirm,
approve of,
subscribe to,
espouse,
vouch for,
throw your weight behind
in the sense of enjoin
Definition
to order (someone) to do something
She enjoined me strictly not to tell anyone else.
Synonyms
order,
charge (formal),
warn,
urge,
require,
direct,
bid,
command,
advise,
counsel,
prescribe,
instruct,
call upon
in the sense of entreat
Definition
to ask (someone) earnestly to do something
They entreated the audience to stay calm.
Synonyms
beg,
ask,
appeal to,
petition,
pray to,
conjure (formal),
request,
plead with,
exhort (formal),
implore,
enjoin,
beseech,
importune (formal),
ask earnestly,
supplicate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of exhort
Definition
to urge (someone) earnestly
Kennedy exhorted his listeners to turn away from violence.
Synonyms
urge,
warn,
encourage,
advise,
bid,
persuade,
prompt,
spur,
press,
counsel,
caution,
call upon,
incite,
goad,
admonish,
enjoin,
beseech,
entreat
in the sense of fancy
Definition
a sudden or irrational liking for a person or thing
His interest was just a passing fancy.
Synonyms
whim,
thought,
idea,
desire,
urge,
notion,
humour,
impulse,
inclination,
caprice
in the sense of goad
He goaded me into taking direct action.
Synonyms
urge,
drive,
prompt,
spur,
stimulate,
provoke,
arouse,
propel,
prod,
prick,
incite,
instigate,
egg on,
exhort (formal),
impel
in the sense of hankering
Have you always had a hankering to be an actress?
Synonyms
desire,
longing,
wish,
hope,
urge,
yen (informal),
pining,
hunger,
ache,
craving,
yearning,
itch,
thirst
in the sense of hunger
Definition
desire or craving
He has a hunger for success that seems bottomless.
Synonyms
desire,
appetite,
craving,
yen (informal),
ache,
lust,
yearning,
itch,
thirst,
greediness,
appetence
in the sense of implore
Definition
to beg desperately
`Tell me what to do!' she implored him.
Synonyms
beg,
beseech,
entreat,
conjure (formal),
plead with,
solicit,
pray to,
importune (formal),
crave of,
supplicate,
go on bended knee to
in the sense of itch
Definition
a restless desire
an insatiable itch to switch from channel to channel
Synonyms
desire,
longing,
craving,
passion,
yen (informal),
hunger,
lust,
yearning,
hankering,
restlessness
in the sense of longing
Definition
a strong feeling of wanting something one is unlikely ever to have
He felt a longing for the familiar.
Synonyms
desire,
hope,
wish,
burning,
urge,
ambition,
hunger,
yen (informal),
hungering,
aspiration,
ache,
craving,
yearning,
coveting,
itch,
thirst,
hankering
in the sense of plead
Definition
to ask with deep feeling
He was kneeling on the floor pleading for mercy.
Synonyms
appeal,
ask,
request,
beg,
petition,
crave (informal),
solicit,
implore,
beseech,
entreat,
importune (formal),
supplicate
in the sense of press
Definition
to force or compel
The trade unions are pressing him to stand firm.
Synonyms
urge,
force,
beg,
petition,
sue,
enforce,
insist on,
compel,
constrain,
exhort (formal),
implore,
enjoin,
pressurize,
entreat,
importune (formal),
supplicate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pressurize
Definition
to make insistent demands of (someone)
He thought she was trying to pressurize him into agreeing.
Synonyms
force,
drive,
compel,
intimidate,
coerce,
dragoon,
breathe down someone's neck,
browbeat,
press-gang,
twist someone's arm (informal),
turn on the heat (informal),
put the screws on (slang)
in the sense of prompt
Definition
to motivate or cause someone to do something
The recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.
Synonyms
cause,
move,
inspire,
stimulate,
occasion (formal),
urge,
spur,
provoke,
motivate,
induce,
evoke,
give rise to,
elicit,
incite,
instigate,
impel,
call forth
in the sense of recommend
Definition
to advise as the best course or choice
I recommend that you consult your doctor.
Synonyms
advise,
suggest,
advance,
propose,
urge,
counsel,
advocate,
prescribe,
put forward,
exhort (formal),
enjoin
in the sense of solicit
She was soliciting a donation from a rich tycoon.
Synonyms
appeal to,
ask,
call on,
lobby,
press,
beg,
petition,
plead with,
implore,
beseech,
entreat,
importune (formal),
supplicate
in the sense of suggest
Definition
to put forward (a plan or an idea) for consideration
I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past.
Synonyms
recommend,
propose,
advise,
move,
table (British),
counsel,
advocate,
prescribe,
put forward,
propound,
offer a suggestion
in the sense of support
Definition
to take an active interest in and be loyal to (a particular football or other sports team)
I've supported Newcastle all my life.
Synonyms
follow,
back,
champion,
encourage,
favour,
advocate,
side with,
espouse
in the sense of thirst
Definition
a craving or yearning
their ever-growing thirst for cash
Synonyms
craving,
hunger,
appetite,
longing,
desire,
passion,
yen (informal),
ache,
lust,
yearning,
eagerness,
hankering,
keenness
in the sense of wish
Definition
a desire, often for something impossible or improbable