IMPORTUNE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'importune' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of importune are adjure , beg , beseech , entreat , implore , and supplicate . While all these words mean "to ask urgently," importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request. // importuning viewers for contributions

Q: When would 'adjure' be a good substitute for 'importune'?

Although the words adjure and importune have much in common, adjure implies advising as well as pleading. // we were adjured to tell the truth

Q: When could 'beg' be used to replace 'importune'?

The words beg and importune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking. // they begged for help

Q: How are the words 'beseech' and 'implore' related as synonyms of 'importune'?

Both beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety. // I beseech you to have mercy // implored her not to leave him

Q: When is 'entreat' a more appropriate choice than 'importune'?

While the synonyms entreat and importune are close in meaning, entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance. // entreated me to join them

Q: When can 'supplicate' be used instead of 'importune'?

In some situations, the words supplicate and importune are roughly equivalent. However, supplicate suggests a posture of humility. // with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord

importune 1 of 2

verb

ˌim-pər-ˈtün

Definition of importune next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

importune

2 of 2

adjective

as in importunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word importune distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of importune are adjure, beg, beseech, entreat, implore, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

When would adjure be a good substitute for importune?

Although the words adjure and importune have much in common, adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

When could beg be used to replace importune?

The words beg and importune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

How are the words beseech and implore related as synonyms of importune?

Both beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

I beseech you to have mercy

implored her not to leave him

When is entreat a more appropriate choice than importune?

While the synonyms entreat and importune are close in meaning, entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When can supplicate be used instead of importune?

In some situations, the words supplicate and importune are roughly equivalent. However, supplicate suggests a posture of humility.

with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of importune

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

Following the show, the beauty community begged McGrath to unveil the secret behind her glass-shattering technique, which has been recreated by makeup artists time and again since then.

— India Espy-Jones, Essence, 24 Jan. 2025
With the movie itself proving its might across three different categories, Morris’ absence begs the question: How? —Joey Nolfi 12 of 13 SNUB: Challengers score Time to compress and repress your rage, as the Academy pulled the aux cord out from one of the best original scores of 2024.

— Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025