impose

[ im-pohz ]

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.

Origin of impose

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English, from Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im-¹ + poser “to stop, cease”; see pose¹; see also pose²

Other words for impose

3	force, foist

See synonyms for impose on Thesaurus.com

Other words from impose

im·pos·a·ble, adjective
im·pos·er, noun
o·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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use impose in a sentence

Maryland has allowed local governments to impose more restrictive policies than the state, and leaders in the Washington region generally have opted to reopen more slowly.
Maryland counties add coronavirus restrictions as infections rise across the Washington region | Rachel Chason, Erin Cox | November 12, 2020 | Washington Post
Other nations, including Australia and New Zealand, have tried to protect native wildlife by imposing restrictions on cat owners, such as “cat curfews” that require cats to be indoors after dark.
These Photos Remind Us Why Conservation Matters - Issue 92: Frontiers | Kevin Berger | November 11, 2020 | Nautilus
The governor said it’s not the time to toughen enforcement or impose new restrictions.
Maryland governor adds coronavirus restrictions as cases surge across the Washington region | Rebecca Tan, Erin Cox, Patricia Sullivan | November 11, 2020 | Washington Post
Meanwhile, governors and mayors and their health department officials struggled to decide how to impose restrictions and for how long.
These venues are high-risk areas for spreading the coronavirus, model suggests | Ben Guarino, Joel Achenbach | November 10, 2020 | Washington Post
They might not be happy with their penalties imposed by the NFL for protocol violations, but on the field, at least, things are looking up.
NFL Week 10 power rankings: Saints move up on the heels of the Steelers and Chiefs | Mark Maske | November 10, 2020 | Washington Post

The first imposer of names was a philosopher who followed the theory of Herakleitus — perpetual flux of everything.
Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume III (of 4) | George Grote
All men confess that private vows bind; and the nullity of the imposer's authority, maketh them but private vows.
A Christian Directory | Baxter Richard
It is ordinarily resolved that imposed oaths must be kept according to the sense of the imposer.
A Christian Directory | Baxter Richard
Between a sincere, involuntary misunderstanding the imposer, and a voluntary, fraudulent reservation or private sense.
A Christian Directory | Baxter Richard
The imposer of the rule in the phrase which Hobbes had made famous is the 'sovereign.'
The English Utilitarians, Volume I. | Leslie Stephen

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; enforce: to 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 quality: to 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; foist: to impose a hoax on someone
(tr) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments

Origin of impose

C15: from Old French imposer, from Latin impōnere to place upon, from pōnere to place, set

Derived forms of impose

imposable, adjective
imposer, noun

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

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