Showing results for "imposed"

• past tense form of impose.
• past participle of impose.

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

See Examples For:

imposed

After his return to the White House last year, US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping global tariffs, including on long-standing trade allies such as the UK.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

The restraint imposed by the production adds to its power.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

In late August, regulators imposed new limits on funds’ investments in related parties and overall portfolio concentration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The U.S. imposed a 40-year ban on exports of crude in 1975 in the aftermath of the Arab oil embargo when the country relied heavily on foreign crude for its refineries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Mary didn’t have the power to remove the limits that society imposed on her girls, but it was her duty, she felt, to help pry off the restrictions they might place on themselves.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• prescribed
• required
• sanctioned