urge
12 synonyms for urge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A strong impulse or desire to do something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A strong impulse or desire to do something.
“Whenever I walk past the bakery, I feel an urge to buy a bun.”
How to use urge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fight the urge
urge someone to do something
a sudden urge
Etymology
From Latin urgēre, "to press or push," the same root behind "urgent."
Full origin of urge →Frequently asked questions
What does “urge” mean?
The word “urge” means a strong impulse or desire to do something. In plain terms, as a noun, a strong inner desire; as a verb, pushing someone hard to do something.
How do you pronounce “urge”?
“Urge” is pronounced urj (/ɝd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “urge” in a sentence?
Here is “urge” used in a sentence: “She had to resist the urge to laugh during the ceremony.”
What part of speech is “urge”?
Depending on how it is used, “urge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “urge” come from?
The word “urge” comes from Latin. From Latin urgēre, "to press or push," the same root behind "urgent.".
Is “urge” a common word?
“Urge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “urge” have?
“Urge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong impulse or desire to do something.
What is the difference between 'urge' and 'encourage'?
To 'urge' someone is to press or push them strongly and insistently to do something. To 'encourage' is gentler, offering support or confidence rather than pressure. Urging therefore carries more urgency and force than encouraging.
What is the difference between an 'urge' and an 'impulse'?
An 'urge' is a strong desire to do something that can build up and persist over time. An 'impulse' is usually more sudden and acted on quickly with little thought. Every impulse is a kind of urge, but urges can be felt gradually and resisted.
What preposition is used after 'urge'?
As a verb, 'urge' is usually followed by 'to' plus another verb, as in 'they urged him to leave'. You can also 'urge someone on' to spur them forward, or 'urge caution' by strongly recommending it.
