importune

American  

[im-pawr-toon, -tyoon, im-pawr-chuhn] / ˌɪm pɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun, ɪmˈpɔr tʃən /

verb (used with object)

importuned, importuning

1. to press or beset with solicitations; demand with urgency or persistence.

   Synonyms:

   solicit, supplicate, implore, entreat, beseech

2. to make improper advances toward (a person).

3. to beg for (something) urgently or persistently.

   Synonyms:

   solicit, supplicate, implore, entreat, beseech

4. Obsolete. to annoy.

5. Obsolete. to press; impel.

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verb (used without object)

importuned, importuning

1. to make urgent or persistent solicitations.

   Synonyms:

   plead

2. to make improper advances toward another person.

adjective

1. importunate.

importune British  

/ ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn /

verb

1. to harass with persistent requests; demand of (someone) insistently

2. to beg for persistently; request with insistence

3. obsolete

   1. to anger or annoy

   2. to force; impel

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Other Word Forms

• importunely adverb
• importuner noun
• importunity noun
• unimportuned adjective

Etymology

Origin of importune

1350–1400; Middle English (adj.) < Latin importūnus unsuitable, troublesome, relentless; im- ², opportune

Example Sentences

In the Book of Samuel, Israelites importune its eponymous judge to “Give us a king to rule over us, like all the other nations.”

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2024

“The needs are too great. And if we pass a strong package with strong bipartisan support, it will importune the House somehow or other to act, despite the morass they are in.”

From Washington Times • Oct. 16, 2023

And too many of the works are so large, and importune the visitor so aggressively, that one feels hectored by hectares of art.

From Washington Post • Sep. 13, 2015

The county health officer had come to Jene-Wonde to importune its leaders.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 12, 2015

She seemed to be tired of my questions: and, indeed, what claim had I to importune her?

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë