importunacy
C2 / Extremely rare / ArchaicFormal, Literary, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of being extremely persistent and demanding, especially in a way that is troubling or annoying.
The act of making repeated, urgent, or inconvenient requests; excessive and unwelcome pertinacity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes an undesirable, excessive quality of behavior. Focuses on the act or instance of persistent requesting itself, rather than the feeling (which would be 'importunity'). Often used in legal or moral discourse to describe problematic conduct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and archaic in both varieties. No significant spelling, syntactic, or semantic variation.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotation of burdensome, inappropriate persistence in both varieties.
Frequency
Virtually unused in contemporary speech or writing in both regions. Found almost exclusively in historical or highly formal/literary texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The importunacy of [person/group]His/Her/Their importunacy [verb phrase, e.g., 'wore them down']to be tired of/weary of/vexed by [someone's] importunacyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Beggar belief (related concept of excessive demand)”
- “To be a broken record (colloquial for repetitive asking)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. Possibly in formal complaints about a client's or subordinate's unprofessional, relentless demands.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in historical, literary, or legal studies analyzing character behavior or social grievances.
Everyday
Never used. 'Nagging', 'pestering', or 'hassle' would be used instead.
Technical
Rarely in law (historical texts on nuisance) or psychology (describing pathological interpersonal behavior).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- He asked importunately, ignoring all hints to desist.
American English
- The lobbyist importunately pressed his case to every senator.
adjective
British English
- His importunate demands eventually secured a meeting.
American English
- She grew tired of his importunate phone calls.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The court noted the creditor's relentless importunacy as a factor in the harassment case.
- We were all exhausted by the sheer importunacy of his appeals for financial support.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PORTUNE-teller (importunacy) who won't leave you alone, constantly demanding you get your fortune told. IMPORTune people show importun-ACY.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTUNACY IS A BURDEN / WEIGHT. (e.g., 'weighed down by their importunacy'). IMPORTUNACY IS AN ATTACK / ASSAULT. (e.g., 'bombarded by importunacy').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not related to 'импорт' (import).
- Do not confuse with 'настойчивость', which can be positive. 'Importunacy' is always negative; consider 'назойливость', 'докучание', 'неотвязность'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'importance'.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'importunate' or the noun 'importunity' (which are more common, though still rare).
- Mispronouncing with stress on 'port' /'ɪm.pɔː(ɹ)/ instead of /ɪm'pɔː/ or /ˌɪm.pɔːr'tuː/.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'importunacy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic. The related adjective 'importunate' is more common, though still formal.
They are often listed as synonyms, but a subtle distinction exists: 'Importunity' can refer to an instance of urgent solicitation or the feeling of being troubled by such requests. 'Importunacy' more strictly denotes the persistent, troubling behavior or quality itself.
No. It always carries a negative connotation of inappropriate, wearisome, or excessive persistence.
In everyday language, 'pestering', 'badgering', or 'hounding' would be used instead.