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

• imposable adjective
• imposer noun
• 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

Companies across multiple industries are using patent litigation to impose heavy legal expenses on competitors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The UK car sector has struggled this year also as a result of higher US tariffs imposed on exports to the world's biggest economy.

Read more on Barron's

In order to try and curb the violence, some state governments have imposed anti-open grazing laws and set up ranches for the herders - but have faced resistance from all sides.

Read more on BBC

His new boss is the imposing Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, despotically played by Josh Brolin.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Any fine needs the approval of the European Commission executive team before being imposed.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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