Synonyms of importune

importune 1 of 2

verb

ˌim-pər-ˈtün 

as in to beg

to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner

she was always importuning people for favors, even when she had no right to ask

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beg
• petition
• entreat
• beseech
• ask
• implore
• pray
• supplicate
• conjure
• appeal (to)
• solicit
• besiege
• require
• plead (to)
• call on
• request
• invoke
• impetrate
• compel
• desire
• coerce
• insist
• force
• cadge
• bludge
• demand
• mooch
• claim
• sponge
• command

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• imply
• suggest
• please
• hint
• oblige
• satisfy
• gratify
• appease
• intimate
• placate
• conciliate
• pacify
• comfort
• content
• mollify
• quiet
• console

importune

2 of 2

adjective

as in importunate

Related Words

• importunate
• displeasing
• bothersome
• vexatious
• burdensome
• aggravating
• vexing
• annoying
• pestiferous
• irksome
• exasperating
• discomforting
• maddening
• frustrating
• disquieting
• nettlesome
• pestilential
• irritating
• abrasive
• pesky
• carking
• distressing
• galling
• inconveniencing
• nettling
• rankling
• troublesome
• plaguey
• infuriating
• pesty
• rebarbative
• peeving
• pestilent
• riling
• trying
• chafing
• disturbing
• upsetting
• tiresome
• offensive
• troubling
• painful
• angering
• mischievous
• enraging
• distractive
• stressful
• worrisome
• bratty
• brattish
• biting
• spiny
• jarring
• thorny
• grating
• jangling

Dissimilar Words

• delightful
• pleasing

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

Recent Examples of importune

Verb

Kearse’s felony charges included trafficking in persons, importuning, compelling prostitution and compelling prostitution involving a minor. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026

Miss Manners understands that people who have trouble saying no might be sorry to disappoint those who importune them. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 July 2025

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

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!