impose

[ im-pohz ]

/ ɪmˈpoʊz /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of impose

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

SYNONYMS FOR impose

3. force, foist.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impose ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

im·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

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
And if a travel ban were imposed, the help would be needed more than ever.
They May Sound Like a Good Idea, But Travel Bans for Ebola Won’t Work|Abby Haglage|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Our courts, however, have recognized limits to free speech, and to that end the MTA has imposed certain regulations.
To Fight Pam Geller, Join Our Comedy Jihad at the MTA|Dean Obeidallah|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Exile was then imposed as a penance on Columba, whose act had been the original cause of offence.
Ireland under the Tudors, Volume I (of II)|Richard Bagwell
The latter is paid by the persons upon whom it is imposed; the former, by a different set of persons.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations|Adam Smith
They were in earnest, and I saw nothing unreasonable in the oath they imposed on me.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean|W.H.G. Kingston
It may be imposed upon us by circumstances which we cannot control.
Sermons|Clement Bailhache
Once, however, the oath was imposed three vital questions were raised.
Political Thought in England from Locke to Bentham|Harold J. Laski

British Dictionary definitions for imposed

impose

/ (ɪmˈpəʊz) /

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

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.