Urge — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈərj/

Meaning & Definition of Urge

Urge (verb)

  1. to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly
  2. to undertake the accomplishment of with energy, swiftness, or enthusiasm
  3. solicit, entreat

Urge (noun)

  1. the act or process of urging
  2. a force or impulse that urges; especially, a continuing impulse toward an activity or goal, a strong need or desire to do or have something

Urge (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

    "the public service announcement urges pet owners to spay or neuter their pets"

    similar: egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, prompt
    related: drive, propel, spur, stimulate, hurry, hustle, push, rush, adjure, beseech, implore, importune, blandish, cajole, coax, soft-soap, wheedle, high-pressure, nag, needle, pressure, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir (up)
    near: deter, discourage, dissuade, brake, check, constrain, curb, hold back, inhibit, restrain

Urge (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a strong wish for something

    "I'm trying to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake"

    similar: appetency, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, jones (slang), letch, longing, lust, passion, pining, thirst, thirstiness, yearning, yen
    related: compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal, liking, love, taste, weakness, eagerness, impatience, want, wish, necessity, need, requirement, obsession, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, covetousness, cupidity, greed, greediness, rapaciousness, rapacity, cacoëthes, mania
    near: abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, apathy, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Urge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Urge:

Slang: jones
egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, prompt, appetency, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, letch, longing, lust, passion, pining, thirst, thirstiness, yearning, yen

Related Words for Urge

propel, spur, stimulate, hurry, hustle, push, rush, adjure, beseech, implore, importune, blandish, cajole, coax, soft-soap, wheedle, high-pressure, nag, needle, pressure, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir (up), compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal

Near Antonyms of Urge

deter, discourage, dissuade, brake, check, constrain, curb, hold back, inhibit, restrain, abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, apathy, indifference, insouciance

Word Forms of Urge

Inflections: urged, urging

Derived words: urger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Urge

Latin urgēre to press, push, entreat wreak

First known use: circa 1555t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Urge

Words & Phrases Containing Urge

urge incontinence, urge on

Frequently Asked Questions about Urge

What does "Urge" mean?

"Urge" means to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Urge"?

Other words for "Urge" include egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod and prompt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Urge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Urge"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Urge". Common alternatives include egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, prompt, appetency and appetite.

How do you use "Urge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Urge" in a sentence: "the public service announcement urges pet owners to spay or neuter their pets"; "I'm trying to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake".

Is "Urge" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Urge" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Urge" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Urge" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Urge"?

"Urge" is pronounced /ˈərj/.

What is the origin of the word "Urge"?

"Urge" comes from Latin urgēre to press, push, entreat wreak. First known use: circa 1555t.