urging

From the verb urge: (⇒ conjugate)

urging is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

urge /ɜrdʒ/   v., urged, urg•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to encourage forcefully:
   [~ + object] to urge an athlete to greater effort.
2. to impel to greater speed:
   [~ + object + object] The riders urged their horses around the track.
3. to try to persuade (someone), as by asking or begging;
   exhort: [~ + object]
   to urge a person to greater caution.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   She urged us to go slow.
4. to recommend earnestly:
   [~ + object] to urge a plan of action on us.
5. to insist on or stress:
   [~ + object] to urge the need for haste.

n. [countable]

6. an act of urging;
   influence or force;
   impulse.
7. an instinctive drive:
   the sex urge.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

urge (ûrj),  v., urged, urg•ing, n. 

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. 

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.

n. 

12. an act of urging;
    impelling action, influence, or force;
    impulse.
13. an involuntary, natural, or instinctive impulse:
    the sex urge.

• Latin urgēre to press, force, drive, urge
• 1550–60

urg′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 4. incite, goad, stimulate, spur.
• 7. aver, asseverate.

Antonyms

• 1. –3. deter.
• 4, 5. discourage.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

urge / ɜːdʒ/ verb

1. (transitive) to plead, press, or move (someone to do something): we urged him to surrender
2. (tr; may take a clause as object) to advocate or recommend earnestly and persistently; plead or insist on: to urge the need for safety
3. (transitive) to impel, drive, or hasten onwards: he urged the horses on

noun

1. a strong impulse, inner drive, or yearning

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin urgēre