importune
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.
to make urgent or persistent solicitations.
to make improper advances toward another person.
Origin of importune
1Other words for importune
Other words from importune
- im·por·tune·ly, adverb
- im·por·tun·er, noun
- un·im·por·tuned, adjective
Words Nearby importune
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use importune in a sentence
I beg, plead, implore, importune: Get some spokespeople out there for the cause who are just regular Americans.
Perhaps some other way may be found, though it does not as yet occur to me, by means of which I need not importune you in future.
Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, Volume 1 of 2 | Lady WallaceI would not importune the mighty prince, but rather Gripir's good counsel have.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson | Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre SturlesonBut why importune readers with Emily's theory, when they have doubtless already guessed it in detail?
The Incendiary | W. A. (William Augustine) LeahyI believed your assertions, I yielded to your importune lies, and said I would name the day.
Alonzo Fitz and Other Stories | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
The others saw how it was and did not further importune him.
The Comstock Club | Charles Carroll Goodwin
British Dictionary definitions for importune
/ (ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn) /
to harass with persistent requests; demand of (someone) insistently
to beg for persistently; request with insistence
obsolete
to anger or annoy
to force; impel
Origin of importune
1Derived forms of importune
- importuner, noun
- importunity or importunacy, noun
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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