impose
[im-pohz]
- to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.: to impose taxes.
- to put or set by or as if by authority: to impose one's personal preference on others.
- to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
- to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively: He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
- Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
- to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
- Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
- Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
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- to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
- to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others: Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
- to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
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- impose on/upon,
- to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
- to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
- to defraud; cheat; deceive: A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.
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Origin of impose
Synonyms
See more synonyms for impose on Thesaurus.com3. force, foist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for imposed
Contemporary Examples
Both state and federal rulings have imposed additional punishments on women by dint of the fact they were pregnant.
A nighttime curfew that was imposed a few weeks ago seems barely enforced now—no doubt to the relief of the women at the Ramada.
In 1695, still under an imposed silence, she died in a plague sweeping the capital.
The black abaya and facial covering was imposed on all female government employees, and on schools and universities.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the VeilManal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights
October 30, 2014
And the black hejab was imposed on all non-Saudi women, regardless of their religion or creed.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the VeilManal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights
October 30, 2014
Historical Examples
The task now imposed upon him was a most distasteful and unwelcome one.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
We have sought no territory and we have imposed our will on none.
He imposed strict restraint on the gods whom he had made captive.
The Babylonian Legends of the CreationBritish Museum
At any rate, he imposed most successfully upon the mother of Allis.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
I warn you, then, that I have imposed upon you a difficult, a dangerous task.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
impose
- (tr) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforceto impose a tax on the people
- to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude
- (intr) to take advantage, as of a person or qualityto impose on someone's kindness
- (tr) printing to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order
- (tr) to pass off deceptively; foistto impose a hoax on someone
- (tr) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments
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Word Origin
C15: from Old French imposer, from Latin impōnere to place upon, from pōnere to place, set
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for imposed
impose
v.
late 14c., "to lay (a crime, etc.) to the account of," from Old French imposer "put, place; impute, charge, accuse" (c.1300), from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + poser "put, place" (see pose (v.1)). Sense of "to lay on as a burden" first recorded 1580s. Related: Imposed; imposing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper