importune

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

/ ˌɪm pɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun, ɪmˈpɔr tʃən /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of importune

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

SYNONYMS FOR importune

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

6 plead.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR importune ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
Do not importune a gentleman to buy of you; and do not charge an extortionate price for a trifling article.
Social Life|Maud C. Cooke
I fear to importune you by the length of this letter; but you will pardon me the liberty I take.
The Correspondence of Madame, Princess Palatine, Mother of the Regent; of Marie-Adlade de Savoie, Duchesse de Bourgogne; and of Madame de Maintenon, in Relation to Saint-Cyr|Charlotte-Elisabeth, duchesse d Orlans; Marie Adelaide, of Savoy, Duchess of Burgundy; and Madame de Maintenon
Imagine, then, how strenuously they importune the saints who can do so much with so little exertion!
King of Camargue|Jean Aicard

Day after day, for eleven long months, did I importune him till he sent me with this message.
Jeremiah|Stefan Zweig
"It would be better—because of the invitation," he said slowly, hesitantly, with the air of one who does not wish to importune.
The Palace of Darkened Windows|Mary Hastings Bradley

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

to anger or annoy
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

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.