impose

American  

[im-pohz] / ɪmˈpoʊz /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of impose

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

Explanation

To impose means to force or inflict something on someone else. If you want to impose your musical taste on your parents, play your tunes all day at top volume. The verb impose emerged in the 1580s, meaning "to lay on as a burden," which is very similar to the modern meaning. Governments often impose taxes, legal restrictions, and other burdensome things on citizens, for example. But you should remember what Confucius once wisely said: "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."

Example Sentences

After exchanging early breaks, neither player was really able to impose themselves on the match with both having to work hard at times to hold serve.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

It would set a global precedent, potentially inviting countries around the world to impose similar fees on trade through global chokepoints—a form of institutionalized piracy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Certain airlines now impose fees for a carry-on bag.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

So why should the court now impose a restriction that does not appear anywhere in the Constitution?

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The state had not weakened in its resolve to impose passes on women and women had not weakened in their resolve to resist.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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