imposed

American  

[im-pohzd] / ɪmˈpoʊzd /

adjective

1. laid on by someone, especially an authority, as something to be endured, obeyed, paid, etc..

   Offenders receive swiftly imposed but meaningful community service assignments, which the court monitors daily for compliance.

2. thrust or forced upon someone else, as one’s tastes, ideas, company, etc..

   I pray for my children to grow confidently into who they have been created to be, free from the pressure of imposed reputation and expectation.

3. created or established forcibly or artificially rather than developing naturally.

   All living systems organize and reorganize themselves into adaptive patterns and structures without any externally imposed plan or direction.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of impose.

Other Word Forms

• subimposed
  adjective
• unimposed
  adjective
• well-imposed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of imposed

impose ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

Something that is imposed is usually unwelcome and unpleasant and is expected to be endured — like higher taxes or unwelcome guests. The adjective imposed comes from the Latin imponere, "to place upon, to inflict or deceive." An imposed tax is one placed upon you by law. The English word comes by way of the Middle French verb imposer, meaning "to lay a burden." So if you are imposed upon by an unwanted guest, you'll have to endure an imposed visit.

Example Sentences

Magistrates imposed an immediate 34-week jail term to be served concurrently alongside his prison recall period.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

The government imposed its first fuel-price caps in almost 30 years, ordered conservation measures including five-day rotations for public-sector vehicles, pushed coal plants harder, lifted nuclear utilization above 80% and banned fuel exports.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

Glendale recently imposed a moratorium on delivery robots, a setback Kashani called “obviously disappointing.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

The US also imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

After dinner, the children drifted off to their rooms with their poker faces congealed and their imposed vow of silence unbroken.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• prescribed
• required
• sanctioned