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importune

[ im-pawr-toon, -tyoon, im-pawr-chuhn ]
/ ˌɪm pɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun, ɪmˈpɔr tʃən /
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See synonyms for importune on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), im·por·tuned, im·por·tun·ing.
verb (used without object), im·por·tuned, im·por·tun·ing.
to make urgent or persistent solicitations.
to make improper advances toward another person.
adjective
importunate.
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Origin of importune

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

OTHER WORDS FROM importune

im·por·tune·ly, adverbim·por·tun·er, nounun·im·por·tuned, adjective

Words nearby importune

importation, importee, import quota, importunacy, importunate, importune, importunity, impose, imposed, impose on, imposing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to importune

appeal, ask, badger, beg, beseech, beset, besiege, con, crave, dun, entreat, goose, harass, hound, implore, invoke, nag, persuade, pester, plague

How to use importune in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for importune

importune
/ (ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn) /
verb (tr)
to harass with persistent requests; demand of (someone) insistently
to beg for persistently; request with insistence
obsolete
  1. to anger or annoy
  2. to force; impel

Derived forms of importune

importuner, nounimportunity or importunacy, noun

Word Origin for importune

C16: from Latin importūnus tiresome, from im- in- 1 + -portūnus as in opportūnus opportune
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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