urged; urging
1
: to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly
his conviction was upheld on a theory never urged at his … trial—
Leon Friedman
Leon Friedman2
: to undertake the accomplishment of with energy, swiftness, or enthusiasm
urge the attack
3
4
: to force or impel in an indicated direction or into motion or greater speed
the dog urged the sheep toward the gate
: to declare, advance, or press earnestly a statement, argument, charge, or claim
urged for the adoption of the proposal
urger
noun
1
: the act or process of urging
2
: a force or impulse that urges
especially
: a continuing impulse toward an activity or goal
Synonyms
Examples of urge in a Sentence
Verb
He is continually urging reform.
The rescuers urged that we remain calm.
an editorial urging readers to vote
I urge you to reconsider.
A hand on her back urged her forward.
Noun
the urge for something sweet
He fought the urge to cry.
Recent Examples on the WebSammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Former President Donald Trump urged Republicans not to give President Joe Biden a legislative victory ahead of the elections, and many Republicans, including Kari Lake, the GOP front-runner in the race for Sinema’s seat, followed his cue.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024
Scarbrough urges anyone with information to share it.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The National Parents Union, an advocacy group for parents, urged lawmakers at an April 10 rally to move the legislation forward.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, reactions to Iran’s strikes have poured in from world leaders, some openly condemning Tehran, others calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and almost all urging restraint during a moment of huge tension in the Middle East.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
If enforcing state law, and protecting vulnerable people from horrid exploitation in real time, seems important, Umberg urges you to contact your legislators and urge them to support the bill.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 14 Apr. 2024
Watson, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, said the crew was made up of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals and urged Iran to release them and the vessel.
—Josef Federman and Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024
His TikTok account is now inactive, but his messages urging fellow migrants to take over homes continue circulating online.
—Emma Colton, Fox News, 4 Apr. 2024
Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
My urge to scroll through videos of the attack ebbed.
—Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
This means buying agencies must resist the urge to micromanage the supplier.
—Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
For all the young angst coursing through the lyrics — heartache, insecurity, revenge urges, the weight of social expectations — Rodrigo in concert is a joyous, vivacious affair.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024
But as the Promise Keeper teens’ carnal urges begin to rise, that pledge of piety becomes harder to uphold.
—Brittani Samuel, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Those who are early in medical training may not have developed the experience and skill to select appropriate testing, and this can lead to a reactive urge to over-test in order to not miss a diagnosis.
—Brandon Peters, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2024
By all means, resist the urge to do pushups in your first-week boredom, says Rosenberg.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
All human beings are susceptible to this urge, not least the members of his own tribe.
—Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
That’s an uncomfortable reality for West Coasters critical of red-state environmental policies but not in the habit of urging their politicians to work across state lines to change them — especially when doing so might involve compromise with Republicans.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Former President Donald Trump urged Republicans not to give President Joe Biden a legislative victory ahead of the elections, and many Republicans, including Kari Lake, the GOP front-runner in the race for Sinema’s seat, followed his cue.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024
Scarbrough urges anyone with information to share it.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The National Parents Union, an advocacy group for parents, urged lawmakers at an April 10 rally to move the legislation forward.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, reactions to Iran’s strikes have poured in from world leaders, some openly condemning Tehran, others calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and almost all urging restraint during a moment of huge tension in the Middle East.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
If enforcing state law, and protecting vulnerable people from horrid exploitation in real time, seems important, Umberg urges you to contact your legislators and urge them to support the bill.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 14 Apr. 2024
Watson, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, said the crew was made up of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals and urged Iran to release them and the vessel.
—Josef Federman and Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024
His TikTok account is now inactive, but his messages urging fellow migrants to take over homes continue circulating online.
—Emma Colton, Fox News, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
Resist the urge to wander through the rows for that perfect shot, so your shoes don’t introduce harmful pests.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
My urge to scroll through videos of the attack ebbed.
—Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
This means buying agencies must resist the urge to micromanage the supplier.
—Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
For all the young angst coursing through the lyrics — heartache, insecurity, revenge urges, the weight of social expectations — Rodrigo in concert is a joyous, vivacious affair.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024
But as the Promise Keeper teens’ carnal urges begin to rise, that pledge of piety becomes harder to uphold.
—Brittani Samuel, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Those who are early in medical training may not have developed the experience and skill to select appropriate testing, and this can lead to a reactive urge to over-test in order to not miss a diagnosis.
—Brandon Peters, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2024
By all means, resist the urge to do pushups in your first-week boredom, says Rosenberg.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
All human beings are susceptible to this urge, not least the members of his own tribe.
—Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near urge
Cite this Entry
“Urge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urge. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
urge
1 of 2 verb
urged; urging
1
: to ask for or support earnestly
continually urging reform
2
: to try to persuade
urge a guest to stay longer
3
: to force or drive to some course or activity (as greater speed)
riders urging their horses on
urge
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or process of urging
2
: a strong desire especially to achieve a goal
the urge to win
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