Urge Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
ðŠ
urge
[ÉËdĘ ]
Definitions
strong feeling
To strongly encourage or persuade someone to do something. It implies a sense of urgency or importance.
Synonyms
advise, encourage, exhort, press, prompt.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| urge |
Appropriate when expressing a strong desire or recommendation for someone to act quickly or with great enthusiasm.
|
| encourage |
Suitable for motivating or giving someone confidence to do something, usually in a positive and supportive manner.
|
| press |
Often used when putting pressure on someone to do something, which may imply persistence or insistence.
|
| prompt |
Useful for encouraging or provoking someone to take quick action, often in a gentle but immediate manner.
|
| advise |
Used when providing guidance or recommendations based on knowledge or expertise, often in a professional or formal context.
|
| exhort |
Typically used in formal or serious situations to urge someone to take action, often with a moral or ethical aspect.
|
Examples of usage
- I urge you to reconsider your decision.
- The doctor urged the patient to quit smoking immediately.
strong desire
To have a strong desire or impulse to do something.
Synonyms
crave, desire, hanker for, long for, yearn for.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| urge |
Used when talking about a strong, often sudden feeling of wanting to do something. It can sometimes imply a need to resist.
|
| crave |
Commonly used when talking about a strong desire for something, especially food, or something that gives pleasure or satisfaction.
|
| desire |
A formal way to express a strong wish for something or someone. It is broader and can be used in various contexts including ambitions, needs, or love.
|
| long for |
Used when talking about a deep, often melancholic desire for something that seems out of reach or distant.
|
| yearn for |
Expresses an intense emotional desire, often associated with deep affection or suffering. It is more intense than 'long for'.
|
| hanker for |
Usually implies a persistent and often nostalgic desire. It is less intense and less urgent than 'crave'.
|
Examples of usage
- I urge you to follow your dreams and never give up.
- She felt an urge to travel and explore new places.
medical
A sudden, strong desire or impulse to do something.
Synonyms
compulsion, craving, desire, impulse, inclination.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| urge |
Use when talking about a strong, often sudden feeling that you want to do something.
|
| impulse |
Use when referring to a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.
|
| craving |
Use when describing a strong desire for a specific thing, especially food or drink.
|
| desire |
Use when talking about a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen.
|
| inclination |
Use when talking about someone's natural tendency to act or feel in a certain way.
|
| compulsion |
Use when referring to a powerful, often uncontrollable need to do something, typically when talking about habits or actions that are difficult to stop.
|
Examples of usage
- He felt an urge to eat something sweet after dinner.
- The urge to scratch the itch was unbearable.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Urges can be linked to our emotional states, often influenced by stress or excitement.
- In psychology, urges are recognized as powerful motivators that can drive behavior, even against rational thought.
- Understanding one's urges is key in therapy, especially in managing addiction or compulsive behaviors.
Literature
- In literature, characters' urges often propel the plot, creating conflict and development.
- Classic novels frequently explore the tension between societal expectations and personal urges.
- Many poets use the theme of unfulfilled urges to evoke deep emotional responses in readers.
Pop Culture
- Popular songs often discuss emotional urges in the context of love, desire, and longing.
- Movies frequently illustrate characters overcoming conflicting urges, adding to drama and tension.
- Memes about urges, like 'I have the urge to...' capture everyday situations humorously, resonating with many.
Health and Wellness
- In health terms, urges can affect eating habits, leading to cravings for unhealthy foods.
- Mindfulness practices often teach people to recognize and manage their urges in a healthy way.
- Research in behavioral health explores how strategies can help individuals control their urges to improve overall well-being.
Origin of 'urge'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin word 'urgere,' which means 'to press or push.'
- The usage of 'urge' in English dates back to the early 15th century, originally meaning to encourage or incite.
- Its meaning expanded over time to include the sense of a strong desire or impulse.
The word 'urge' originated from Latin 'urgere', meaning 'to press hard, push, urge'. Over time, it evolved to represent a strong desire or impulse to do something. The concept of urging someone to take action has been a part of human communication for centuries, reflecting the innate need to motivate and persuade others. Today, 'urge' is commonly used in various contexts, from encouraging someone to make a decision to expressing a strong craving or impulse.
See also: urgent.