Literary notes about Importunate (AI summary)
The term “importunate” is often employed to convey a sense of relentless insistence or unyielding persistence in various contexts. It can describe a nagging guest or persistent creditor whose demands create discomfort or tension, as when a guest’s unwelcome persistence is noted [1] or a creditor’s relentless urging provokes unease [2, 3]. At times, the word captures the urgency of natural or emotional impulses—illustrating, for instance, how one might be overcome by the pressing cravings of nature itself [4, 5, 6]. In dramatic exchanges, “importunate” underscores a character’s determined appeal or intrusive insistence, adding layers to interpersonal dynamics and social commentary [7, 8, 9]. Overall, its usage enriches literary narratives by highlighting when persistence crosses the line from mere request to overwhelming pressure [10, 11].
- Death finds not a worse friend than an alderman, to whose door I never knew him welcome; but he is an importunate guest, and will not be said nay.
— from Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients by Francis Bacon - "My men and I have a devilish importunate creditor," said he, slapping his stomach.
— from Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z by Cerfberr and Christophe - An importunate creditor who urges for payment.
— from A Collection of College Words and Customs by Benjamin Homer Hall - Here my rage forsook me: I began to feel the importunate cravings of nature, and relapsed into silent sorrow and melancholy reflection.
— from The Adventures of Roderick Random by T. Smollett - But, enough of these unmanly complaints; the yearnings of nature are too importunate.
— from The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom — Complete by T. Smollett - Only some people can hear it, but when they do, it wrings their hearts, so importunate is it.
— from Where the Twain Meet by Mary Gaunt - She is importunate; indeed, distract: 'Twere good she were spoken with; for she may strew Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.
— from Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare - and how strange, that, almost at the moment of the union, he should be so importunate in gallantry to another woman!
— from Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Fanny Burney - Everything pointed to the Governor’s having signed it unread, simply to get rid of some importunate lady.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - importunate, clamorous, urgent; cap in hand; on one's knees, on one's bended knees, on one's marrowbones.
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget - But at the word her cries increase; Again requested to abate Her noise, she’s more importunate.
— from The Fables of Phædrus by Phaedrus
