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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in importunate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of importune
Evan Dudley, al, 2 Nov. 2022
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 July 2025
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
Verb
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
Adjective
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importune
Verb
-
Each room and common area feels like a treasure box; there’s hardly an inch of space that doesn’t beg you to stop, snap a photo, and admire the artistic composition.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Academy is forcing me to beg political people to screen and select my film.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Haunted by the lack of answers and stymied by Mexican authorities, Barraza has turned to Chicago attorney John Lee to petition an international tribunal for help in finding the truth and getting justice.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Heuermann's defense team petitioned the judge to exclude the evidence, arguing that whole genome sequencing is not widely accepted by the scientific community.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Carmel is taking aim at what city leaders have deemed a bothersome RV that often parks near city hall and takes up two parking spots.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Yes, at times, peer influence crosses the line from bothersome to dangerous.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Importune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importune. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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