imposing

[ im-poh-zing ]

/ ɪmˈpoʊ zɪŋ /

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adjective

very impressive because of great size, stately appearance, dignity, elegance, etc.: Notre Dame, Rheims, and other imposing cathedrals of France.

Nearby words

importunately, importune, importunity, impose, impose on, imposing, imposing stone, imposition, impossibility, impossible, impossible figure

Origin of imposing

First recorded in 1645–55; impose + -ing²

SYNONYMS FOR imposing

dignified, majestic, lofty, grand, august.

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Related forms

im·pos·ing·ly, adverbim·pos·ing·ness, noun

Definition for imposing (2 of 2)

impose

[ im-pohz ]

/ ɪmˈpoʊz /

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

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 imposing

Submission is set in a France seven years from now that is dominated by a Muslim president intent on imposing Islamic law.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Pyongyang has given the Obama administration no choice but to retaliate now by imposing sanctions or even an embargo.
U.S. Should Make North Korea Pay for Sony Hack|Gordon G. Chang|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The floor-to-ceiling Texas flag, the single most imposing feature of the room, began to rise.
In Texas, Cruz, Perry Crow Over GOP Rout|Tim Mak|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What he fails to realize is that he is imposing the same urban title on his family in retaliation.
‘black-ish’ Keeps It Real about the Invisible Black Man|Judnick Mayard|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I walked my dog in a way that made clear to him that he was imposing.
Aubrey Plaza’s Great Disconnect|Aubrey Plaza|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Outwardly Ahmednugger presents no imposing appearance like Beejapoor.
A Noble Queen, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Philip Meadows Taylor
The old ruined castle—an imposing structure now partially repaired—is described in Scott's Waverley.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
The imposing aspect of the comet in 1066 described in European chronicles of that time is confirmed by the Chinese Annals.
Astronomical Curiosities|J. Ellard Gore
This swash-buckler had, moreover, a most imposing countenance, and a voice capable of frightening even a bear back into its den.
A Hungarian Nabob|Maurus Jkai
And those demonstrations ought to be imposing not only from their numbers, but also for their orderly character.
Lord Randolph Churchill|Winston Spencer Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for imposing (1 of 2)

imposing

/ (ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ) /

adjective

grand or impressivean imposing building

Derived Forms

imposingly, adverbimposingness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for imposing (2 of 2)

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

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