importune

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

/ ˌɪm pɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun, ɪmˈpɔr tʃən /

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.

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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.

OTHER WORDS FROM importune

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

Words nearby importune

importation, imported currantworm, importee, importunacy, importunate, importune, importunity, impose, impose on, imposing, imposing stone

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for importuning

The paper's CEO was importuning her to commit to "some more years" as executive editor just 12 days before she was dismissed.
The Hypocrisy Behind The New York Times’s Abrupt Decapitation of Jill Abramson|Robert Shrum|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Men of all kinds came to him imploring his aid and importuning him for protection.
History of the War in Afghanistan, Vol. I (of 3)|Sir John William Kaye
New Orleans was importuning Congress to support it in an Exposition.
Port O' Gold|Louis John Stellman
He says, "Attention sat upon all faces, and friends came round like bees, importuning me to stay another week."
George Whitefield|Joseph Belcher

A boy under the age of 16 years, whilst engaged in street trading, shall not annoy any person by importuning.
Child Labor in City Streets|Edward Nicholas Clopper
Upon persons coming round him and importuning him with questions, he pretended to be extremely fatigued.
The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane,|William Brodie Gurney

British Dictionary definitions for importuning

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 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

importune

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

verb (used without object), im·por·tuned, im·por·tun·ing.

adjective

QUIZZES

Origin of importune

SYNONYMS FOR importune

OTHER WORDS FROM importune

Words nearby importune

Words related to importuning

Example sentences from the Web for importuning

British Dictionary definitions for importuning

verb (tr)

Derived forms of importune

Word Origin for importune