impose

[ im-pohz ]

/ ɪmˈpoʊz /

See synonyms for: impose / imposed / imposing 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.

SYNONYMS FOR impose

3 force, foist.

See synonyms for impose on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.

Question 1 of 13

How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?

gato/gata

cato/cata

gatto/gatta

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of impose

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

OTHER WORDS FROM impose

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. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for impose

The bank has been suffering from costs associated with a regulatory crackdown over its unethical sales practices, and the Fed has imposed strict limits on its growth.
The 21 best stocks to buy for 2021|Anne Sraders|November 20, 2020|Fortune
The governor has relied on contact tracing data and other information to guide which restrictions to impose.
Maryland’s coronavirus numbers are going up. Here’s what you need to know.|Erin Cox|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The key idea that Best starts with is what’s known as the principle of training specificity, which basically says that your body adapts to get better at handling whatever stresses you impose on it.
Rethinking the Cross-Training Paradox|Alex Hutchinson|November 19, 2020|Outside Online
The death sentences before the court, he wrote, “were imposed for heinous federal crimes committed more than 20 years ago” and family members of the 16-year-old victim, he said, were waiting in Terre Haute to witness the execution.
Orlando Hall executed after Supreme Court declined to intervene|Ann Marimow|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

The settlement includes the city taking responsibility for a civil judgment Burley owes to Davis’s family that was imposed in 2014 and has since grown with interest as it went unpaid.
Baltimore approves more than $10 million in new police settlements|Justin Fenton|November 18, 2020|Washington Post
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 impose

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 forms of impose

imposable, 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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

impose

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

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

Verb Phrases

SYNONYMS FOR impose

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of impose

OTHER WORDS FROM impose

Example sentences from the Web for impose

British Dictionary definitions for impose

verb (usually foll by on or upon)

Derived forms of impose

Word Origin for impose

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

impose

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

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

Verb Phrases

SYNONYMS FOR impose

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of impose

OTHER WORDS FROM impose

Words related to impose

Example sentences from the Web for impose

British Dictionary definitions for impose

verb (usually foll by on or upon)

Derived forms of impose

Word Origin for impose