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impose

[im-pohz]

||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impose ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

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.

Verb Phrases

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.

Origin of impose

1475–85; late Middle English < Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im-¹ + poser to pose¹; see also pose²

Related formsim·pos·a·ble, adjectiveim·pos·er, nouno·ver·im·pose, verb (used with object), o·ver·im·posed, o·ver·im·pos·ing.pre·im·pose, verb (used with object), pre·im·posed, pre·im·pos·ing.re·im·pose, verb, re·im·posed, re·im·pos·ing.sub·im·posed, adjectiveun·im·posed, adjectivewell-im·posed, adjective

Synonyms for impose

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impose ON THESAURUS.COM

3. force, foist.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for imposed

appoint, levy, force, institute, require, introduce, order, foist, charge, place, promulgate, inflict, demand, put, establish, enforce, presume, visit, trespass, enjoin

Examples from the Web for imposed

Contemporary Examples of imposed

Both state and federal rulings have imposed additional punishments on women by dint of the fact they were pregnant.
States Slap Pregnant Women With Harsher Jail Sentences
Emily Shire
December 12, 2014
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.
Eastern Ukraine Braces for ‘Full-Scale War’
Jamie Dettmer
November 17, 2014
In 1695, still under an imposed silence, she died in a plague sweeping the capital.
Sor Juana: Mexico’s Most Erotic Poet and Its Most Dangerous Nun
Katie Baker
November 8, 2014
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 Veil
Manal 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 Veil
Manal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights
October 30, 2014

Historical Examples of imposed

The task now imposed upon him was a most distasteful and unwelcome one.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
We have sought no territory and we have imposed our will on none.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
He imposed strict restraint on the gods whom he had made captive.
The Babylonian Legends of the Creation
British Museum
At any rate, he imposed most successfully upon the mother of Allis.
Thoroughbreds
W. 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

British Dictionary definitions for imposed

impose

verb (usually foll by on or upon)

(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

Derived Formsimposable, adjectiveimposer, noun

Word Origin for impose

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper