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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in importunate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of importune
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
Evan Dudley, al, 2 Nov. 2022
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
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In turn, Julian begged his ex to destroy the incriminating papers for the sake of their family.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The other woman begs her not to, but Sofia is determined.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Port of Seattle is petitioning to overturn a controversial new city law that allows housing in part of SoDo, escalating a political fight over the future of Seattle's industrial lands.—
Christine Clarridge,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
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After his family won rulings for his return to U.S. soil by Monday, the Trump administration petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The audience groaned upon hearing about Jelly's bothersome habit.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Those with oily or dry scalps know the struggles of dealing with incessant itching, flaking, acne, and a slew of other concerns that can be a bit bothersome to deal with.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Importune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importune. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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