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

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent might designate Hong Kong a “primary money laundering concern” and impose a variety of conditions on U.S. banks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The plans would also cap the service fees charged by resale platforms, and allow regulators to impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover on firms breaking the new laws.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

He added that Warsh will not simply be able to impose his will on the central bank, and will have to work with his fellow policymakers.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

The county currently has a base sales tax rate of 9.75%, and cities impose additional local taxes on top of that.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Your Hazel is alive, Waters, and you mustn’t impose your will upon another’s decision, particularly a decision arrived at thoughtfully.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Related Words

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