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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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
  • But the issue of rising fuel costs is becoming an increasingly urgent one for the White House.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The voices warning about the risks of artificial intelligence grow louder, more urgent and increasingly credible every day.
    — Henry M. Paulson Jr, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Latest analysis from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) projects that by the end of 2027, as many as 274 million people worldwide could face acute food insecurity—an increase of approximately 49 million from current levels.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Her cause of death was reportedly cardiac arrest, with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus, or severe asthma, listed as contributing conditions.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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