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

State law makes it illegal for anyone who “solicits, requests, commands, importunes” or otherwise encourages others to engage in election fraud.

From New York Times

One state law makes it a felony to “solicit, request, command, importune or otherwise attempt to cause another person to engage in election fraud.”

From New York Times

Seshadri is fluent in an unusually wide range of forms — he ranges here from rhymed quatrains to fat blocks of prose — and his voice is typically chatty, probing, importuning, self-mocking.

From New York Times

The company has since issued a recall for all Skirakiku brand importuned Black Fungus that was distributed to restaurants out of concern that it may be contaminated with salmonella.

From Fox News

As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt importuned in his efforts to advance business integrity shortly after the Great Depression, we need to make union membership a civil right.

From Seattle Times