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urge

strongly encourage / push forward / strong impulse

/ɜːd͡ʒ/

Transitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: urgespast: urgedpp: urgeding: urging

As a verb, it conveys an intensity beyond simple suggestion. It is the language of pressure, desperation, or critical necessity. While 'encourage' feels supportive and gentle, 'urge' implies that time is running out or that the stakes are high. When used physically, such as with animals or machinery, it evokes a sense of pushing against resistance to create forward momentum. As a noun, it describes an internal, often visceral impulse. It is frequently associated with suddenness and a lack of conscious planninga 'biological' or 'emotional' itch that demands immediate scratching. Unlike a 'wish' or a 'goal', an urge feels intrusive and difficult to ignore.

Countable when referring to a specific, sudden impulse ('I felt an urge to scream'). Uncountable when describing a general, persistent internal drive or biological pressure ('The urge for survival is powerful').

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Chloe is procrastinating on a term paper in the library.
Chloe Smith

I have this sudden urge to just drop out and move to a farm.

Chloe Smith
Eleanor Smith
Eleanor Smith

DEAR I AM SURE YOU ARE JUST BURNT OUT. TAKE A NAP.

💡
Chloe uses 'urge' to describe a sudden, impulsive desire driven by academic stress. Eleanor responds in all caps due to her technological illiteracy and uses the phrasal verb 'burnt out' to describe Chloe's exhaustion.

Meanings

Transitive Verbstrongly encourage

To strongly encourage or persuade someone to take a particular action.

"The doctor urged him to stop smoking immediately."

Transitive Verbpush forward

To drive or push something forward, often with force or urgency.

"She urged the horse forward toward the finish line."

Nounstrong impulse

A strong desire or impulse to do something.

"I had a sudden urge to laugh during the serious meeting."

Etymology

Derived from the Old French word urgier, which stems from the Latin urgere, meaning to press, push, or drive forward. The term evolved from a literal physical action of pushing into a figurative sense of pressing someone to act or feeling an internal pressure to perform a task.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 8, 2026Report an Error