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urge

 - 2 dictionary results

urge

  [urj] ,verb, urged, urg⋅ing, noun
Use urge in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to push or force along; impel with force or vigor: to urge the cause along.
2. to drive with incitement to speed or effort: to urge dogs on with shouts.
3. to press, push, or hasten (the course, activities, etc.): to urge one's escape.
4. to impel, constrain, or move to some action: urged by necessity.
5. to endeavor to induce or persuade, as by entreaties; entreat or exhort earnestly: to urge a person to greater caution.
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.
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)
9. to exert a driving or impelling force; give an impulse to haste or action: Hunger urges.
10. to make entreaties or earnest recommendations.
11. to press arguments or allegations, as against a person, action, or cause: The senator urged against the confirmation of the appointment.
–noun
12. an act of urging; impelling action, influence, or force; impulse.
13. an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse: the sex urge.
Origin:
1550–60; < L urgēre to press, force, drive, urge

Related forms:
urg⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

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

Antonyms:
1–3. deter. 4, 5. discourage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To urge
urge   (ûrj)   
v.   urged, urg·ing, urg·es

v.   tr.

  1. To force or drive forward or onward; impel.

  2. To entreat earnestly and often repeatedly; exhort.

  3. To advocate earnestly the doing, consideration, or approval of; press for: urge passage of the bill; a speech urging moderation.

  4. To stimulate; excite: "It urged him to an intensity like madness" (D.H. Lawrence).

  5. To move or impel to action, effort, or speed; spur.

v.   intr.

  1. To exert an impelling force; push vigorously.

  2. To present a forceful argument, claim, or case.

n.  

  1. The act of urging.

    1. An impulse that prompts action or effort: suppressed an urge to laugh.

    2. An involuntary tendency to perform a given activity; an instinct: "There is a human urge to clarify, rationalize, justify" (Leonard Bernstein).


[Latin urgēre.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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