urge

[urj]

verb (used with object)

urged, urging 

1. to push or force along; impel with force or vigor.

   to urge the cause along.

   Antonyms: deter

2. to drive with incitement to speed or effort.

   to urge dogs on with shouts.

   Antonyms: deter

3. to press, push, or hasten (the course, activities, etc.).

   to urge one's escape.

   Antonyms: deter

4. to impel, constrain, or move to some action.

   urged by necessity.

   Synonyms: spur, stimulate, goad, incite
   Antonyms: discourage

5. to endeavor to induce or persuade, as by entreaties; entreat or exhort earnestly.

   to urge a person to greater caution.

   Antonyms: discourage

6. to press (something) upon the attention.

   to urge a claim.

7. to insist on, allege, or assert with earnestness.

   to urge the need of haste.

   Synonyms: asseverate, aver

8. 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, urging 

1. to exert a driving or impelling force; give an impulse to haste or action.

   Hunger urges.

2. to make entreaties or earnest recommendations.

3. to press arguments or allegations, as against a person, action, or cause.

   The senator urged against the confirmation of the appointment.

noun

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

2. an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse.

   the sex urge.

urge

/ ɜːdʒ /

verb

1. (tr) 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. (tr) to impel, drive, or hasten onwards

   he urged the horses on

4. archaic,  (tr) to stimulate, excite, or incite

noun

1. a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning

Other Word Forms

• urgingly adverb
• overurge verb
• unurged adjective
• unurging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urge¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of urge¹

C16: from Latin urgēre

Example Sentences

"I urge anyone who has information relating to either incident to contact us as soon as possible".

From BBC

At the Epstein press conference, six of the dead felon’s alleged victims held a press conference and urged the president to come forward with every single document in the Epstein files, some 100,000 pages.

From Salon

The company's board urged investors to vote in favour of the package.

From BBC

“I believe our most general duty to veterans is to reintegrate them into society after their military service,” he said, urging the Congress members to press the administration on the need for vocational training.

From Los Angeles Times

A friend urges her to stay silent and not malign the “rich people” who caused her so much grief.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advise 
• advocate 
• appeal to www.thesaurus.com
• ask 
• commend 
• compel 
• endorse 
• exhort 
• favor 
• force 
• implore 
• press 
• promote 
• prompt 
• propose 
• push 
• recommend 
• request 
• support