verb
importune
im-por-TOON/ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːn/
To ask someone persistently and urgently.
The man importunes the woman for her umbrella despite her weary refusal.
Etymology
The original image was “having no harbor,” hence difficult to access and troublesome. The verb applies that troublesomeness to someone who keeps pressing another person with requests.
In context
“To importune the wise out of season is to invite calamity.”
More examples
- She importunes her landlord for repairs as the ceiling keeps leaking.
- The reporters importuned him for an answer until he finally spoke.
- Please stop importuning me; I have already said no.
Forms
importune · importunes · importuned · importuning
importunity noun — The act of asking persistently and urgently.
Similar words
- beseech
- Emphasizes urgent pleading rather than repeated requests over time.
- badger
- Suggests annoying or pressuring someone through repeated demands.