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.

   Synonyms: foist, force

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.

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.

verb phrase

1. 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.

impose

/ ɪmˈpəʊz /

verb

1. tr to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce

   to 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 quality

   to 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; foist

   to 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

Derived Forms

• imˈposer, noun
• imˈposable, adjective

Other Words From

• im·pos·a·ble adjective
• im·pos·er noun
• o·ver·im·pose verb (used with object) overimposed overimposing
• pre·im·pose verb (used with object) preimposed preimposing
• re·im·pose verb reimposed reimposing

Word History and Origins

Origin of impose¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impose¹

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

Example Sentences

During his election campaign Trump pledged to impose a 20% tariff on all imports into the United States and a 60% tariff on Chinese imports.

From BBC

But there was something even more significant: For a generation, conservatives — not just the far right, which Crusius appeared to identify with — had propelled the notion that climate change was a hoax fabricated so the government could impose new restrictions on the economy and society.

From Salon

Trump has repeatedly pledged to impose a 60% tariff on Chinese-made goods and a 10% to 20% tariff on imports from other countries, a position he used to court voters in the manufacturing sectors.

From Salon

They praised the diversity that peers from other states and countries bring to campus; a few criticized UC for giving substantial raises to chancellors earlier this year while proposing to impose more financial strain on students.

From Los Angeles Times

If they do attempt to impose the agenda of Project 2025 or the America First Policy Institute, I expect it will lead pretty quickly to major blowback and significant damage.

From Salon

Related Words

• appoint
• charge
• demand
• enforce
• establish
• foist
• force
• inflict
• institute
• introduce
• lay down
• levy
• order
• place
• promulgate
• put
• require