impose
verb (used with object)
to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc..
had been imposing
-
past perfect progressiveof impose.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cabell had been imposing increasingly tougher bail conditions beginning in July, when prosecutors said that Chan’s wife had booked airline tickets for herself, Chan and their daughter to fly to China.
From Reuters ● Sep. 22, 2017
Vincent Kompany, City's captain, had been imposing to the point of frightening.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 21, 2013
The school had been imposing: a fallacy of glass and steel against the dusty expanse of the north shore clearing, like a middle finger thrown into the sky, built in record time.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
Sheila began to wonder whether this innocent-eyed lad had been imposing on her.
From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 12, No. 31, October, 1873 by Various
Dynastic changes in the Netherlands had robbed Edward of supporters who, though costly and ineffective, had been imposing in outward appearance.
From The History of England From the Accession of Henry III. to the Death of Edward III. (1216-1377) by William Hunt
