importune

[im-pawr-toon, -tyoon, im-pawr-chuhn]

See more synonyms for importune on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), im·por·tuned, im·por·tun·ing.

to press or beset with solicitations; demand with urgency or persistence.
to make improper advances toward (a person).
to beg for (something) urgently or persistently.

Obsolete. to annoy.
Obsolete. to press; impel.

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.

Origin of importune

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

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

Synonyms for importune

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1, 3. beseech, entreat, implore, supplicate, solicit. 6. plead.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for importune

beset, press, crave, persuade, plead, hound, badger, sell, nag, pray, pester, implore, solicit, appeal, urge, invoke, besiege, plague, ask, beseech

Examples from the Web for importune

Contemporary Examples of importune

I beg, plead, implore, importune: Get some spokespeople out there for the cause who are just regular Americans.
Tea Party Lessons for the Left
Michael Tomasky
October 5, 2011

Historical Examples of importune

I importune the Supreme Council for a post, a crust of bread, a home!
Casanova's Homecoming
Arthur Schnitzler
Are these matters wherewith to importune a stranger—a guest?
The Lion's Skin
Rafael Sabatini
I must obey you at the city gate; but I will importune you here.
The Hour and the Man
Harriet Martineau
No use to importune her to act against her instincts—not a bit of use!
Beyond
John Galsworthy
Though Jupiter should grant his request to each, we should continue to importune him.
Pearls of Thought
Maturin M. Ballou

British Dictionary definitions for importune

importune

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 Formsimportuner, 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

Word Origin and History for importune

1520s, back-formation from importunity, or else from Middle French importuner, from Medieval Latin importunari "to make oneself troublesome," from Latin importunus "unfit, troublesome," originally "having no harbor" (i.e. "difficult to access"), from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + portus "harbor" (see port (n.1)). Related: Importuned; importuning. As an adjective from early 15c.