Definitions Related words Mentions Lyrics History

Literary notes about Importune (AI summary)

The term “importune” in literature is often used to convey a persistent, sometimes overwhelming solicitation or entreaty. In Shakespeare’s works, for instance, it is employed to emphasize a character’s desperate longing or insistence, as when one “importunes death” ([1]) or earnestly petitions the divine ([2], [3]). Authors like Casanova ([4]) and Jane Austen ([5], [6]) utilize the word to illustrate both the gentle and the forceful nature of repeated requests, ranging from tender appeals to situations charged with coercion or weariness ([7], [8], [9]). Across different eras and contexts, “importune” enriches the dialogue by underscoring the intensity—whether heartfelt or harassing—of one character’s persistent demands.
  1. I am dying, Egypt, dying; only I here importune death awhile, until Of many thousand kisses the poor last I lay upon thy lips.
    — from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
  2. God will revenge it; whom I will importune With earnest prayers all to that effect.
    — from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
  3. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering.
    — from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
  4. I have a foolish notion that the chief reason the king loves me is that I do not importune him.”
    — from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova
  5. But I will no longer importune my young cousin."
    — from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  6. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.”
    — from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  7. He will certainly never [335] importune you, nor poorly attempt to extort from your pity what he could not win from your love.
    — from Self-control: A Novel by Mary Brunton
  8. I reckon to be costly, not them alone which charge the purse, but which are wearisome and importune in suits.
    — from Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients by Francis Bacon
  9. The beggar still continued to importune me.
    — from Pelham — Complete by Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy