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imposing

[im-poh-zing]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR imposing ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

Origin of imposing

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

Synonyms for imposing

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR imposing ON THESAURUS.COM
dignified, majestic, lofty, grand, august.

impose

[im-pohz]

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,
  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.

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 for impose

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impose ON THESAURUS.COM
3. force, foist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for imposing

noble, grandiose, stately, striking, commanding, magnificent, imperial, monumental, massive, grand, towering, ominous, overwhelming, exciting, moving, dignified, stirring, august, big, effective

Examples from the Web for imposing

Contemporary Examples of imposing

Historical Examples of imposing

  • 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

grand or impressivean imposing building
Derived Formsimposingly, adverbimposingness, noun

impose

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 imposing
adj.

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

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper