Urge

verb / noun

Base: urge | Past: urged | Past Participle: urged | -ing: urging | 3rd person: urges

Frequency

High

CEFR Level

Neutral

Domain

Motivation

Definition

1. To strongly advise or try to persuade someone to do something.
2. To encourage someone to keep going or do better.
3. A strong wish or need, especially one that is difficult to control.

Context Alive

The doctor looked at him seriously and sat forward in her chair. She urged him to quit smoking before it was too late, explaining all the risks in a calm but firm voice. He listened carefully this time, knowing she was right.

Meanings

3 meanings

1 To Strongly Advise or Persuade Someone (Verb) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about pushing someone to do something by giving them strong advice or persuasion. Imagine your best friend has been unhappy at work for months. You sit them down and urge them to start looking for a new job — you’re not just suggesting it, you’re really pushing them because you care. This is strongly encouraging someone to take action. You might hear “doctors urged patients to get vaccinated” or “his family urged him to see a therapist.” Or think about a news report where police urge people to stay indoors during a storm. The word carries a sense of seriousness — it’s stronger than simply asking or suggesting. ✏️ Urge is often used in formal or serious contexts — news, official statements, and medical advice. It shows the speaker really believes the action is important.

Vivid Example

After the earthquake, officials went on live television immediately. They urged residents to evacuate low-lying areas as quickly as possible. Thousands of people grabbed what they could and headed for higher ground within the hour.

2 To Encourage Someone to Keep Going (Verb) Common ▼

This meaning is about cheering someone on and pushing them to continue or do better. Imagine a marathon runner hitting the final kilometer, completely exhausted and ready to give up. The crowd lines the street, clapping and shouting, urging her on toward the finish line. This is encouraging someone to push through. You might urge a teammate on during a tough match, or a parent could urge their child on while they learn to ride a bike. Or picture a coach standing on the sideline, urging his players on with every pass and tackle. The word suggests active, energetic encouragement. ✏️ This meaning almost always appears as “urge someone on” — the “on” is what makes it about encouragement rather than advice.

Vivid Example

The swimmer was falling behind in the final lap of the race. From the stands, her teammates stood up and urged her on with everything they had. She found one last burst of energy and touched the wall just half a second behind first place.

3 A Strong Wish or Need That Is Hard to Control (Noun) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about a powerful feeling inside you that pushes you to do something. Imagine sitting in a very boring meeting that’s been going on for two hours. Suddenly you feel an urge to just stand up and walk out — you know you shouldn’t, but the feeling is almost impossible to ignore. This is a strong internal desire that’s hard to resist. You might feel an urge to laugh at a serious moment, or someone could describe a sudden urge to travel and see the world. Or think about being on a strict diet and walking past a bakery — the urge to go in and buy a chocolate cake is almost overwhelming. The word suggests something you feel deep inside, often without choosing to. ✏️ An urge is usually sudden and hard to control — that’s what separates it from a simple “wish” or “want,” which feel more calm and deliberate.

Vivid Example

Emma was sitting in a quiet library studying for her exam. Out of nowhere, she felt a strong urge to check her phone, even though she had promised herself not to. She put it in her bag and took a deep breath, trying to stay focused.

Examples from the Street

“I urge you to reconsider — you’re making a huge mistake.”

I’m strongly advising you to think again — you’re about to do something very wrong

“She felt a sudden urge to quit her job and travel the world.”

She had a powerful, spontaneous desire to leave her work and go travelling

“Doctors are urging people to get vaccinated before winter.”

Medical professionals are strongly encouraging the public to have their injections ahead of the cold season

Common Patterns

urge someone to do something → strongly advise or push a person to take action

urge caution/restraint/patience → strongly recommend being careful, holding back, or waiting

urge someone against something → strongly advise someone not to do something

strongly/repeatedly urge → emphasise how forcefully or frequently the advice is given

be urged to do something → be strongly advised by others (passive, very common in news)

feel/have an urge to do something → experience a strong internal desire to act

a sudden urge → an unexpected, powerful impulse that comes without warning

resist/fight the urge (to do something) → try not to give in to a strong desire

an irresistible/overwhelming urge → a desire so strong that it’s almost impossible to control

get the urge to do something → start feeling a strong desire to act

satisfy/act on an urge → give in to a strong desire and do what it pushes you to do

urge someone on → encourage or motivate someone to keep going or try harder

urged on by (the crowd/supporters) → motivated by the encouragement of others

Collocations

3 collocations

urge someone to

strongly encourage a person to act

resist the urge

stop yourself from giving in to a desire

strong urge

a powerful impulse to do something

Example Sentences

12 examples

Health officials are urging people to wash their hands regularly during the flu season

Medical authorities are strongly encouraging the public to clean their hands frequently during the period when influenza is common.

I would strongly urge you to read the contract carefully before signing anything

I would very firmly recommend that you study the written agreement thoroughly before putting your name on it.

The ambassador urged caution, warning that any hasty action could damage the relationship between the two countries

The diplomatic representative strongly recommended holding back, cautioning that any rushed move could harm ties between the two nations.

Residents have been urged to evacuate their homes as the wildfire continues to spread

Local people have been strongly advised to leave their properties as the uncontrolled fire keeps growing.

I felt a sudden urge to call my old friend — we hadn’t spoken in years

I experienced an unexpected, powerful desire to ring my former friend — it had been ages since we’d been in touch.

He tried to resist the urge to check his phone during the meeting, but couldn’t help himself

He attempted to stop himself from looking at his mobile during the discussion, but was unable to hold back.

The chocolate cake was right in front of me and the urge was irresistible — I had a slice

The rich dessert was sitting directly before me and the desire was impossible to fight — I helped myself to a piece.

She finally acted on the urge she’d had for years and signed up for a pottery class

She eventually gave in to the desire she’d felt for a long time and enrolled in a ceramics course.

The crowd urged the runners on as they approached the final stretch of the marathon

The spectators cheered and encouraged the athletes as they neared the last section of the long-distance race.

His parents urged him against dropping out of university, but he’d already made up his mind

His mother and father strongly advised him not to leave his degree course, but he’d already reached his decision.

Learner Examples

★

I always urge my students to practise speaking outside the classroom — even five minutes a day makes a difference

I consistently push my learners to work on their oral skills beyond the lesson — even a short daily practice session has an impact.

★

When preparing for an exam, students sometimes feel the urge to cram everything at the last minute, but steady revision works much better

When getting ready for a test, learners occasionally experience a strong desire to study everything in a rush at the end, but consistent review over time produces far better results.