1 importunate | Definition of importunate
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

importunate

adjective
im·​por·​tu·​nate | \ im-ˈpȯr-chÉ™-nÉ™t How to pronounce importunate (audio) , -tyu̇-nÉ™t\

Definition of importunate

1 : troublesomely urgent : overly persistent in request or demand importunate creditors
2 : troublesome
Other Words from importunate Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about importunate

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from importunate

importunately adverb
importunateness noun

Did You Know?

Importunate has been part of the English language since the 16th century, and the synonymous "importune" arrived even earlier, in the 15th century. The seemingly superfluous inclusion of the suffix -ate in "importunate" is a bit mysterious; one theory is that English speakers modeled the adjective after words like "obstinate." "Importune" and "importunate" come from Latin importunus. The prefix im- means "not," and "importunus" can be contrasted with Latin opportunus, which shares its meaning with and is the ancestor of our opportune, meaning "suitable or timely." (The connection is obscure now, but "opportunus" itself harks back to the Latin phrase ob portum, meaning "[coming] to harbor.") "Importune," and later "importunate," once meant "inopportune, untimely," but that sense is now obsolete.

Examples of importunate in a Sentence

the demands of the chairmanship were becoming too importunate for me to continue without an assistant

First Known Use of importunate

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for importunate

importunate

adjective
How to pronounce importunate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of importunate

formal
: making repeated or annoying requests or demands
: causing annoyance or trouble

See the full definition for importunate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on importunate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with importunate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for importunate

Spanish Central: Translation of importunate

Nglish: Translation of importunate for Spanish Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!