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

China imposes tariffs on Canadian canola oil, pork and seafood, while Canada slaps duties on Chinese electric vehicles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It enforced a decades-long embargo against communist Cuba — while also launching a botched invasion of the island and trying to assassinate its leader —and imposed economic sanctions on left-wing adversaries in Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

China's commerce ministry said Saturday it is considering exempting some Nexperia chips from an export ban imposed over a row with Dutch officials that has alarmed European businesses.

Read more on Barron's

The imposing statue was moved from close to the Cairo railway station in 2006, in a complex operation, in preparation for the new institution.

Read more on BBC

As for gay people who don’t believe in gender identity, Renna says, “It’s fine not to believe in it, but why do you have to impose what you believe on everyone else?”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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