importune 1 of 2

importune

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word importune distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of importune are adjure, beg, beseech, entreat, implore, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

When would adjure be a good substitute for importune?

Although the words adjure and importune have much in common, adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

When could beg be used to replace importune?

The words beg and importune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

How are the words beseech and implore related as synonyms of importune?

Both beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

I beseech you to have mercy
implored her not to leave him

When is entreat a more appropriate choice than importune?

While the synonyms entreat and importune are close in meaning, entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When can supplicate be used instead of importune?

In some situations, the words supplicate and importune are roughly equivalent. However, supplicate suggests a posture of humility.

with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of importune
Verb
Four years later the line was importuned for Robinson Cano. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2024 In 1982, she was importuned to join the board of Bronx River Restoration and readily accepted. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 For one thing, Acts 156 and 157 alleged in the complaint pick out actions Trump took on September 17, 2021, still importuning Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to decertify the election. Aziz Huq, Time, 21 Aug. 2023 Said brother was importuned only occasionally, a distant wingman to these sorties. Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 6 Jan. 2023 This may be in part because those whose first overtures were ignored conclude that the widow wants to be left alone, and thus cease to importune her. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Stewart Dickerson, 64, is charged with importuning and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, according to jail records. Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, 28 Feb. 2020 In exchange for his guilty plea, Cuyahoga County prosecutors dropped charges of importuning and possessing criminal tools. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 26 Feb. 2020 He is charged with importuning, a fifth-degree felony, court records say. Evan MacDonald, cleveland, 4 Feb. 2020
Adjective
The Blazers did not turn the ball over but importune mistakes resulted in the Owls taking an early lead and eventually surging ahead in the second half. Evan Dudley, al, 2 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importune
Verb
  • While Kardashian was begging for her life, the men rummaged through her belongings and stole roughly millions of dollars worth of jewelry from her.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • This begs the question: Why is the city of San Diego proposing a monthly fee of $47.59?
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Other residents have petitioned against the ordinance because of the financial implications of not being able to rent their properties.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2025
  • More than 50 asset managers have petitioned the SEC for exemptive relief in order to offer an ETF share class of an existing mutual fund.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • These color changes are especially noticeable in darker skin tones and can sometimes be more bothersome than the eczema itself.9 Hyperpigmentation occurs when inflammation triggers the skin to produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
    Health, Health, 11 May 2025
  • Like the lice combs, ancient people had instruments for responding to bothersome pests.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Importune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importune. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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