Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [im-pawr-toon, -tyoon, im-pawr-chuh n]
- /ˌɪm pɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun, ɪmˈpɔr tʃən/
- /ˌɪm.pɔːˈtjuːn/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [im-pawr-toon, -tyoon, im-pawr-chuh n]
- /ˌɪm pɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun, ɪmˈpɔr tʃən/
Definitions of importune word
- verb with object importune to press or beset with solicitations; demand with urgency or persistence. 1
- verb with object importune to make improper advances toward (a person). 1
- verb with object importune to beg for (something) urgently or persistently. 1
- verb with object importune Obsolete. to annoy. 1
- verb with object importune Obsolete. to press; impel. 1
- verb without object importune to make urgent or persistent solicitations. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of importune
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English (adj.) < Latin importūnus unsuitable, troublesome, relentless; see im-2, opportune
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Importune
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
importune popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 62% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
importune usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for importune
verb importune
- beset — If someone or something is beset by problems or fears, they have many problems or fears which affect them severely.
- press — to force into service, especially naval or military service; impress.
- crave — If you crave something, you want to have it very much.
- persuade — to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging: We could not persuade him to wait.
- plead — to appeal or entreat earnestly: to plead for time.
Antonyms for importune
verb importune
- dissuade — to deter by advice or persuasion; persuade not to do something (often followed by from): She dissuaded him from leaving home.
- reply — followup
- refuse — to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award.
- aid — Aid is money, equipment, or services that are provided for people, countries, or organizations who need them but cannot provide them for themselves.
- assist — If you assist someone, you help them to do a job or task by doing part of the work for them.
Top questions with importune
- what does importune mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with i
- Words starting with im
- Words starting with imp
- Words starting with impo
- Words starting with impor
- Words starting with import
- Words starting with importu
- Words starting with importun
- Words starting with importune