urging

Urging is the act of urging someone to take a particular action, typically by urging, encouraging, or pressing them with the aim of influencing their behavior. In everyday speech, to urge someone is to advocate with emphasis, often with a sense of urgency or moral appeal.

The term comes from the verb urge, from Latin urgere "to press, drive" via Old French. As a noun, urging can refer to the act or instance of urging, or, less commonly, to a strong appeal or exhortation, as in "an urging to reform."

Usage notes: Urging implies persuasion rather than coercion; it carries a sense of persistence or insistence. It is stronger than simple advice but weaker than coercion. Collocations include "urge someone to do something," "urge reform," "publicly urge," "strong urging." The tone can be positive (encouraging help) or negative (nagging, pressuring).

In psychology, an urge can refer to an impulsive desire that motivates behavior, such as cravings. In public communications, organizations commonly urge people to take actions (vote, recycle, seek help). Related terms include encourage, exhort, prompt, prod, coax, and press.