Importune: meaning, definitions and examples

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importune

 

[ ษชmหˆpษ”หtสƒuหn ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

request persistently

To importune means to ask someone persistently and urgently for something. This term is often used in contexts where someone is making repeated and insistent requests, often leading to feelings of annoyance or pressure.

Synonyms

beg, implore, insist, pester, urge

Examples of usage

  • She importuned her parents for a new car.
  • The vendor importuned potential customers to buy his goods.
  • He was importuned by friends to join them on their trip.
Context #2 | Verb

solicit for sexual favors

In a more negative context, to importune can refer to soliciting someone for sexual favors in a persistent manner, often in a way considered inappropriate or unwanted.

Synonyms

entreat, negotiate, prostitute, solicit

Examples of usage

  • The man was accused of importuning women in the park.
  • She felt uncomfortable after being importuned by strangers online.
  • Local authorities have responded to a rise in cases of importuning.

Translations

Translations of the word "importune" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น importunar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเคฟเคจเคคเฅ€ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช belรคstigen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengganggu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพั‚ัƒั€ะฑัƒะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ niepokoiฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฟทๆƒ‘ใ‚’ใ‹ใ‘ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท importuner

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ importunar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท rahatsฤฑz etmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฉํ•ดํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠูุฒุนูุฌ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ obtฤ›ลพovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ obลฅaลพovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‰“ๆ‰ฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ motiti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ trufla

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑาฑะทะฐา›ั‹ะปั‹า› ะถะฐัะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒ”แƒฌแƒฃแƒฎแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ narahat etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ importunar

Word origin

The term 'importune' has its roots in the Latin word 'importunus', which means 'unfit' or 'unwelcome'. The prefix 'in-' typically denotes negation, while 'portare' means 'to carry'. Thus, the concept of importuneness originally revolved around the idea of carrying a burden that is unwelcome. The word made its way into Middle English through Old French as 'importuner', referring to the act of troubling or annoying someone through persistent requests. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass both the act of asking insistently as well as the more negative connotation of solicitation, especially in regards to sexual favors. The evolution indicates societal changes in how persistent requests are perceived, and the nuances that come with them.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,077 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.