impose

[im-pohz]

verb (used with object)

imposed, imposing 

1. to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc..

   to impose taxes.

2. to put or set by or as if by authority.

   to impose one's personal preference on others.

3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.

   Synonyms: foist, force

4. to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively.

   He imposed his pretentious books on the public.

5. Printing.,  to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.

6. to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.

7. Archaic.,  to put or place on something, or in a particular place.

8. Obsolete.,  to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.

verb (used without object)

imposed, imposing 

1. to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.

2. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others.

   Are you sure my request doesn't impose?

3. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.

verb phrase

1. impose on / upon

   1. to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.

   2. to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).

   3. to defraud; cheat; deceive.

      A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.

impose

/ ɪmˈpəʊz /

verb

1. (tr) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce

   to impose a tax on the people

2. to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude

3. (intr) to take advantage, as of a person or quality

   to impose on someone's kindness

4. (tr) printing to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order

5. (tr) to pass off deceptively; foist

   to impose a hoax on someone

6. (tr) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments

Other Word Forms

• imposer noun
• imposable adjective
• overimpose verb (used with object)
• preimpose verb (used with object)
• reimpose verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impose¹

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English, from Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im- ¹ + poser “to stop, cease”; pose ¹; pose ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of impose¹

C15: from Old French imposer, from Latin impōnere to place upon, from pōnere to place, set

Example Sentences

Belgium's complex multi-level governance means regional authorities are also imposing austerity measures.

Read more on BBC

China imposed sanctions on five American subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean on Tuesday, accusing them of supporting a US government investigation into the shipping industry, as tit-for-tat port fees took effect.

Read more on Barron's

Earlier this year, Amazon said it would rapidly expand its same-day grocery delivery service, while Walmart has imposed price cuts across thousands of products.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I am reluctant to impose rigid reporting requirements about operational details on this sector without understanding the full impact on businesses and the consumers of their technology.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

China has introduced a new dimension to the wide-ranging dispute by imposing sanctions on five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean shipbuilding company.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• appoint 
• charge 
• demand 
• enforce 
• establish 
• foist 
• force 
• inflict 
• institute 
• introduce 
• lay down 
• levy 
• order 
• place 
• promulgate 
• put 
• require