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imposing

[im-poh-zing]
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adjective
  1. very impressive because of great size, stately appearance, dignity, elegance, etc.: Notre Dame, Rheims, and other imposing cathedrals of France.
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Origin of imposing

First recorded in 1645–55; impose + -ing2
Related formsim·pos·ing·ly, adverbim·pos·ing·ness, noun

Synonyms

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dignified, majestic, lofty, grand, august.

impose

[im-pohz]
verb (used with object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.
  1. to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.: to impose taxes.
  2. to put or set by or as if by authority: to impose one's personal preference on others.
  3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
  4. to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively: He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
  5. Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
  6. to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
  7. Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
  8. Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
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verb (used without object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.
  1. to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
  2. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others: Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
  3. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
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Verb Phrases
  1. impose on/upon,
    1. to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
    2. to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
    3. to defraud; cheat; deceive: A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.
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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

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3. force, foist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for imposing

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He did not believe in imposing an uncompensated burden upon any man.

    The Grand Old Man

    Richard B. Cook

  • Mallyan's Spout is the most imposing, having a drop of about 76 feet.

  • They could not help smiling at Fritz as he frisked about in his imposing rose-collar.

    The Little Colonel

    Annie Fellows Johnston

  • Never had Christian war assumed a more splendid or imposing aspect.

    Leila, Complete

    Edward Bulwer-Lytton

  • It is insane, admirable, imposing; and it makes one feel proud.

    My Double Life

    Sarah Bernhardt

British Dictionary definitions for imposing

imposing

adjective
  1. grand or impressivean imposing building
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Derived Formsimposingly, adverbimposingness, noun

impose

verb (usually foll by on or upon)
  1. (tr) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforceto impose a tax on the people
  2. to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude
  3. (intr) to take advantage, as of a person or qualityto impose on someone's kindness
  4. (tr) printing to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order
  5. (tr) to pass off deceptively; foistto impose a hoax on someone
  6. (tr) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments
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Derived Formsimposable, adjectiveimposer, noun

Word Origin

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 imposing

adj.

"that impresses by appearance or manner," 1786, from present participle of impose (v.). Related: Imposingly.

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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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper