urge: Meaning and Definition of

urge

Pronunciation: (ûrj), [key]
— v., n. urged, urg•ing,
—v.t.
  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.
—v.i.
  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.
—n.
  1. an act of urging; impelling action, influence, or force; impulse.
  2. an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse: the sex urge.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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