Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Importune

//ɪmpɔɹˈtuːn// adj, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Grievous, severe, exacting. obsolete

    "And therewithall he fiercely at him flew, / And with importune outrage him assayld [...]."

  2. 2
    Inopportune; unseasonable. obsolete
  3. 3
    Troublesome; vexatious; persistent. obsolete

    "And their importune fates all satisfide."

Noun
  1. 1
    Synonym of importuner. obsolete

    "And yet in ſome Courts it is otherwiſe vſed, for in Spaine it is thought very vndecent for a Courtier to craue, ſuppoſing that it is the part of an importune: […]"

Verb
  1. 1
    To bother, irritate, trouble. transitive

    "To deliberate, be it but in slight matters, doth importune me."

  2. 2
    beg persistently and urgently wordnet
  3. 3
    To harass with persistent requests. transitive

    "Gentlemen, importune me no farther, / For hovv I firmly am reſolu'd you knovv: / That is, not to beſtovv my yongeſt daughter, / Before I haue a husband for the elder: […]"

  4. 4
    To approach to offer one's services as a prostitute, or otherwise make improper proposals. transitive
  5. 5
    To import; to signify. obsolete, transitive

    "It importunes death."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French importuner and its etymon Medieval Latin importūnor (“to make oneself troublesome”), from Latin importūnus (“unfit, troublesome”), originally "having no harbor".

Etymology 2

From Middle English importune, inportune, from Anglo-Norman and Middle French importun and its etymon Classical Latin importūnus.

Etymology 3

From Middle English importune, inportune, from Anglo-Norman and Middle French importun and its etymon Classical Latin importūnus.

See also for "importune"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: importune