urge
gb/ˈɚd͡ʒ/ us/ˈɚd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
strongly encourage someone
To try hard to make someone do something because you think it is important.
Usage pattern:
to urge [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'urge' with 'order'; 'urge' is a strong recommendation, not a command.
Synonyms
encourage (Less forceful or insistent than 'urge'.)
|
press (Implies persistent persuasion, sometimes with pressure.)
Antonyms
dissuade (Means to try to stop someone from doing something.)
Collocations
urge caution
|urge action
|urge restraint
|urge reform
|urge someone forward
Themes
communication
|persuasion
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor urged him to quit smoking immediately.
- Environmental groups are urging the government to take stronger action on climate change.
- She urged her friend to apply for the job before the deadline.
- Police are urging witnesses to come forward.
- He urged the team to keep going despite the setback.
Learner examples
- My teacher urged me to study for the test.
- The man urged his son to be careful.
- She urged me to eat more vegetables.
- They urged people to stay inside during the storm.
Noun
B1
state
2
strong desire or impulse
A strong feeling that makes you want to do something.
Usage pattern:
feel an urge to [do something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'urge' (countable noun) with 'urgency' (uncountable noun meaning importance or need for quick action).
Synonyms
desire (A general wish for something; may be weaker or more abstract than 'urge'.)
|
impulse (A sudden and often unplanned wish to act.)
Antonyms
aversion (A strong feeling of dislike that makes one avoid something.)
Collocations
strong urge
|sudden urge
|irresistible urge
|urge to act
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I had an irresistible urge to laugh during the meeting.
- She felt a sudden urge to call her mother.
- He was fighting the urge to check his phone.
- The urge to help was overwhelming.
- Travelers often feel the urge to explore new places.
Learner examples
- I have an urge to eat ice cream.
- He felt an urge to run.
- She has an urge to travel.
- I feel an urge to read a book.
Verb
B2
action
3
push or drive forward
To push a person, animal, or thing forward, or encourage it to go faster.
Usage pattern:
to urge [someone/something] forward/on
Synonyms
spur (Often used figuratively for giving encouragement or motivation.)
|
push (More general; can refer to physical or figurative pushing.)
Antonyms
hold back (To prevent movement or progress.)
Collocations
urge forward
|urge on
|urge ahead
Themes
movement
|motivation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The crowd urged the runners on toward the finish line.
- He urged his horse forward through the rain.
- Her ambition urged her on despite the difficulties.
Learner examples
- The coach urged the players on.
- I urged my bike forward up the hill.
- She urged the dog on with treats.
Grammar
Dictionary form
urge
IPA
GB/ˈɚd͡ʒ/
US/ˈɚd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
urge (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (urge)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: urge
- Plural: urges
Verb
- Base: urge
- 3rd Person Singular: urges
- Present Participle: urging
- Past: urged
Word family
Expressions
fight the urge
1/fˈaɪt ðə ˈɚd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
resist a strong desire
To try hard not to do something you strongly want to do.
Examples
- He fought the urge to check his phone during the meeting.
- She fought the urge to laugh at the wrong moment.
resist the urge
1/ɹɪzˈɪst ðə ˈɚd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
refuse a strong desire
To not do something even though you really want to do it.
Examples
- I resisted the urge to eat another slice of cake.
- They resisted the urge to argue back.
urge on
1/ˈɚd͡ʒ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
encourage to keep going
To encourage a person or animal to keep moving or trying harder.
Examples
- The fans urged on their team during the final minutes of the match.
- She urged on her friend as they climbed the steep hill.