urge

—urgingly, adv.

/errj/, v., urged, urging, 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.

[1550-60; < L urgere to press, force, drive, urge]

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

Ant. 1-3. deter. 4, 5. discourage.

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