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- Dictionaryim·por·tune/ˌimpərˈto͞on/
verb
- 1. harass (someone) persistently for or to do something: "reporters importuned him with pointed questions" Similar
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The meaning of IMPORTUNE is to press or urge with troublesome persistence. How to use importune in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Importune.
IMPORTUNE definition: 1. to make repeated, forceful requests for something, usually in a way that is annoying or causing…. Learn more.
Sure, to importune is to beg, but use it only when you're talking about going beyond mere begging into more urgent territory. The woman importuned the judge to release her innocent brother from jail. The original Latin term actually meant something closer to "to bother."
Synonyms for IMPORTUNE: beg, petition, entreat, beseech, ask, implore, pray, supplicate; Antonyms of IMPORTUNE: imply, suggest, please, hint, oblige, satisfy, gratify, appease
Definition of importune verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
to trouble with requests or demands; urge or entreat persistently or repeatedly.
1. To make an earnest request of (someone), especially insistently or repeatedly: "A dozen reporters importuned every passing ambassador to speak to them" (Felicity Barringer). 2. Archaic. a. To ask for (something) urgently or repeatedly. b. To annoy; vex. v.intr. To plead or urge irksomely, often persistently. adj. Archaic. Importunate.
There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word importune, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
To persistently and repeatedly ask or request something from someone, often in an insistent or annoying manner. "Despite her refusal, he continued to importuneher for a date." Detailed meaning of importune. This verb is typically used to describe behavior that is considered intrusive, pushy, or demanding. Someone who importunes another person ...
OED's earliest evidence for importune is from 1530, in the writing of John Palsgrave, teacher and scholar of languages. It is also recorded as an adjective from the Middle English period (1150—1500). importune is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin.
