importunate

adjective

im-ˈpȯr-chə-nət How to pronounce importunate (audio)
Definition of importunatenext
as in urgent
needing immediate attention the demands of the chairmanship were becoming too importunate for me to continue without an assistant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 importunate Dragonfly males are so importunate that some females play dead to avoid their advances. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importunate
  1. urgent
  2. acute
Adjective
  • Given no one knows a business like its own people, sharing the most urgent challenges and encouraging new ideas at every level could make a tangible difference to the bottom line, and do away with productivity theater for good.
    — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • New Yorkers received urgent instructions to take shelter immediately on Thursday evening after a tornado warning was issued for Queens and other parts of New York.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • The danger is particularly acute because health authorities are already struggling to keep up with the virus.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Some of the most common diagnoses among Boyle Heights patients included the toxic effects of smoke, contact/exposure to hazardous substances, acute upper respiratory infection, headaches and other eye and adnexa disorders.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of acute

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imports
importunate
importune
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Cite this Entry

“Importunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importunate. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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