urges

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of urge.

   Cravings and other urges can be hard to control when you are tired.

   He learned to recognize his urges before acting on them.

   Note

   Each urge counted separately: several distinct itches to do something, not one steady drive. In clinical and psychological writing the plural often marks recurrent, episodic impulses rather than a single sustained motivation. The same spelling also serves as the verb in "she urges". A determiner or adjective in front of it (his urges, sudden urges) shows that the noun is meant.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present indicative of urge.

   The report urges governments to act quickly on rising sea levels.

   Her doctor gently urges her to follow the full course of treatment.

   Note

   Present-tense agreement for he, she, it or a singular noun subject: the report urges, her doctor urges. The verb is transitive and commonly takes an object plus a to-infinitive (urges governments to act). With a that-clause, the clause verb goes into the subjunctive: the board urges that he be present, not "is present." When an object follows, the word is a verb rather than the plural noun.

   The committee urges that every member be consulted before the vote.

   The manual urges caution when handling the cables.

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