/ ɜːdʒ; NAmE ɜːrdʒ/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
to advise or try hard to persuade sb to do sth :
[ vn to inf ]
She urged him to stay.
[ v that ]
The report urged that all children be taught to swim.
[also v speech , vn speech ] ➡ note at recommend
2.
[ vn ] urge sth (on / upon sb) to recommend sth strongly :
The situation is dangerous and the UN is urging caution.
3.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] ( formal ) to make a person or an animal move more quickly and/or in a particular direction, especially by pushing or forcing them :
He urged his horse forward.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- urge sb on
■ noun
urge (to do sth) a strong desire to do sth :
sexual urges
I had a sudden urge to hit him.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin urgere press, drive.