importune

²importune

verb

importunedimportun·ing

Definition of IMPORTUNE

transitive verb

1

a : to press or urge with troublesome persistence b archaic : to request or beg for urgently

2

: annoy, trouble

intransitive verb

: to beg, urge, or solicit persistently or troublesomely

— im·por·tun·er noun

Examples of IMPORTUNE

1. He stood on the street corner, importuning passersby for help.
2. He importuned them to help.

First Known Use of IMPORTUNE

1530

Related to IMPORTUNE

Synonyms: appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, beg, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate

Related Words: bludge [chiefly Australian & New Zealand], cadge, mooch, sponge; ask, desire, invoke, request, sue; claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, require

Near Antonyms: hint, imply, intimate, suggest; appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content, quiet

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at beg