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Meaning & use

urges

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈɜːdʒɪz/
US/ˈɜːrdʒɪz/

“urges” is a form of “urge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    Strong desires or impulses to do something, often suddenly or difficult to control.

    Grammar: Countable; can be singular or plural. Often followed by 'to' + verb: an urge to shout.

    Patterns

    • an urge to do something
    • urges to do something
    • feel an urge
    • resist an urge

    She felt a sudden urge to laugh during the serious meeting.

    He struggled to control his urges when he saw the chocolate cake.

    The documentary explores the human urge to explore unknown places.

  2. verbtransitive

    Encourages or strongly advises someone to do something.

    Grammar: Takes an object: urge someone to do something. Often used in reported speech: She urged me to apply.

    Patterns

    • urge someone to do something
    • urge caution
    • urge against something

    The doctor urges patients to exercise regularly.

    My teacher urged me to enter the writing competition.

    The government urges people to save water during the drought.

Word forms

third person singularurges
past tenseurged
past participleurged
-ing formurging
pluralurges

Common combinations

strong urge
She had a strong urge to quit her job and travel.
resist an urge
He couldn't resist the urge to check his phone.
urge someone to do something
The coach urged the team to keep fighting.
urge caution
Experts urge caution when investing in new markets.

Synonyms and how they differ

impulse
Impulse is a sudden strong wish, often without thinking; urge can be more lasting and less sudden.
desire
Desire is a general wish or longing; urge specifically suggests a pressing need to act.
compulsion
Compulsion is an urge so strong that it feels impossible to resist; urge is usually less extreme.

Opposites

disinclinationaversion

Word family

urge verb
To encourage or strongly advise someone to do something.
urging noun
The act of strongly encouraging or advising.
urgent adjective
Needing immediate attention or action.

Commonly confused: urges or urge?

urges vs urge

As a verb, urge means 'encourage'; as a noun, it means 'strong desire'. Don't mix the two: 'He urged me to go' (verb) vs. 'He had an urge to go' (noun).

Practice

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