What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
importune
Example
He importuned her for a date until she finally agreed. [importuned: verb]
Example
The salesperson continued to importune me to buy the product even after I said no. [importuning: gerund or present participle]
badger
Example
My little brother badgered me to play video games with him all day. [badgered: verb]
Example
The customer service representative badgered me with questions about my purchase. [badgering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Badger is more commonly used than importune in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between importune and badger?
Importune is more formal than badger, and it is typically used in more professional or literary contexts. Badger is more informal and can be used in both casual and formal situations.
