imposed

[ im-pohzd ]

adjective

1. laid on by someone, especially an authority, as something to be endured, obeyed, paid, etc.:

   Offenders receive swiftly imposed but meaningful community service assignments, which the court monitors daily for compliance.

2. thrust or forced upon someone else, as one’s tastes, ideas, company, etc.:

   I pray for my children to grow confidently into who they have been created to be, free from the pressure of imposed reputation and expectation.

3. created or established forcibly or artificially rather than developing naturally:

   All living systems organize and reorganize themselves into adaptive patterns and structures without any externally imposed plan or direction.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of impose ( def ).

Other Words From

• sub·im·posed adjective
• un·im·posed adjective
• well-im·posed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imposed¹

impose ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

The penalty is only rarely imposed, as members often resign before they can be voted out of Congress.

From The Daily Beast

Both state and federal rulings have imposed additional punishments on women by dint of the fact they were pregnant.

From The Daily Beast

Padre Goyo got back to Mexico in May from a three-month hiatus that he called a self-imposed exile in Europe.

From The Daily Beast

Her wealthy family imposed its own monetary and social punishment for stepping outside the sorority.

From The Daily Beast

A nighttime curfew that was imposed a few weeks ago seems barely enforced now—no doubt to the relief of the women at the Ramada.

From The Daily Beast

It was he who deserved punishment—not the sufferer with his calamities imposed upon him by his erring sire.

From Project Gutenberg

If the owner has imposed no terms on him, then he has the implied authority usually existing in such cases.

From Project Gutenberg

It was out of the question that he should return to the Residency before he began his self-imposed mission.

From Project Gutenberg

Immediately after the passing of the Act of 1888 the railway companies vigorously attacked the work imposed upon them.

From Project Gutenberg

However that may be, the Government have imposed upon the Irish railways a burden of working expenses which they cannot bear.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prescribed
• required
• sanctioned