impose
Americanverb (used with object)
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imposes,
present (3rd person singular)
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imposed,
past participle, past
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imposing
present participle
-
to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc..
to impose taxes.
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to put or set by or as if by authority.
to impose one's personal preference on others.
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to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
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to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively.
He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
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Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
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to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
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Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
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Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
verb (used without object)
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imposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
imposed,
past participle, past
-
imposing
present participle
-
to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
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to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others.
Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
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to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
verb phrase
verb
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(tr) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce
to impose a tax on the people
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to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude
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(intr) to take advantage, as of a person or quality
to impose on someone's kindness
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(tr) printing to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order
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(tr) to pass off deceptively; foist
to impose a hoax on someone
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(tr) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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imposernoun
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reimposeverb
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overimposeverb (used with object)
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preimposeverb (used with object)
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imposableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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imposesimple
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imposessimple
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have imposedperfect
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has imposedperfect
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am imposingprogressive
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are imposingprogressive
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is imposingprogressive
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have been imposingperfect progressive
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has been imposingperfect progressive
Past
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imposedsimple
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had imposedperfect
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was imposingprogressive
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were imposingprogressive
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had been imposingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of impose
First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English, from Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im- 1 + poser “to stop, cease”; pose 1; pose 2
Explanation
To impose means to force or inflict something on someone else. If you want to impose your musical taste on your parents, play your tunes all day at top volume. The verb impose emerged in the 1580s, meaning "to lay on as a burden," which is very similar to the modern meaning. Governments often impose taxes, legal restrictions, and other burdensome things on citizens, for example. But you should remember what Confucius once wisely said: "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."
Vocabulary lists containing impose
The Declaration of Independence
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List 2
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"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Efforts to impose state-level regulations have been mixed, with critics echoing Johnson’s fears that they will stifle innovation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
The paper reports that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will hand mayors the power to impose unlimited taxes on tourists that could lead to families paying hundreds of pounds more on holidays in England.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
OTTAWA—A Canadian quasi-judicial panel said imported canned vegetables mostly from the U.S. caused serious financial strains for domestic food processors, and recommends that the government impose import limits to help the sector.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Tokyo tourist hotspot Shinjuku will impose a ban on more than half of its holiday rentals including homes on Airbnb, an official said Monday, after a surge in complaints about visitors.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
The South African government was under growing international pressure, as nations all across the globe began to impose economic sanctions on Pretoria.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Not only is El Niño a leading driver of climate and weather hazards, but it imposes “tremendous economic costs, ecological damages, and human suffering globally,” according to the Science study.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
However, Medicare Advantage imposes restrictions such as requiring prior authorization for specialists or procedures and has limited provider networks.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
That system allows the government to set prices for dairy products and imposes import controls and quotas on domestic producers to keep supplies in check.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
"Banksy's vandalism should be stopped and he should foot the bill for the costs he imposes on others."
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
It is true that the state imposes a license fee, but that fee does not come to the counties or the towns except for road maintenance and extension.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
The judge also imposed indefinite non-harassment orders prohibiting the pair from contacting their victim in any way.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
In some cities with restrictions, rents and hotel prices have gone up, the letter added, noting that Lisbon recently overturned some of the curbs it had previously imposed.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Over 18 months starting in July 2023, Beijing imposed export controls on gallium, germanium, graphite, antimony and some rare-earth-related manufacturing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Another bill that died in the Legislature this year would have imposed more requirements on water agencies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
I wanted to photograph some of our clients in order to give the life-without-parole sentences imposed on children a human face.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
It included Trump Jr.’s brother-in-law Jared Kushner, Eric Trump — and Kremlev, an imposing man with a shaved head who speaks limited English.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
The absence of one requirement can’t reasonably be read as Congress imposing the opposite.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Polls suggest the majority of Canadians support, external their country imposing retaliatory tariffs on the US.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
And it comes on the eve of Canada imposing retaliatory tariffs on a range of US goods beginning Tuesday.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
“Grandfather,” said Mother, “we wouldn’t dream of imposing on you if you have a prior engagement.”
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
