imposing

[ im-poh-zing ]

adjective

1. very impressive because of great size, stately appearance, dignity, elegance, etc.:

   Notre Dame, Rheims, and other imposing cathedrals of France.

   Synonyms: august, grand, lofty, majestic, dignified

imposing

/ ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ /

adjective

1. grand or impressive

   an imposing building

Derived Forms

• imˈposingness, noun
• imˈposingly, adverb

Other Words From

• im·posing·ly adverb
• im·posing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imposing¹

First recorded in 1645–55; impose + -ing ²

Example Sentences

So he decided to draw a creature that is not only mammoth and imposing, but also unwaveringly destructive.

From Washington Post

Fernandez needed 2 hours 21 minutes and all the tactics at her disposal for her three-set victory over Sabalenka, who boasts a more powerful game, more experience and a more imposing physique, nearly a half-foot taller.

From Washington Post

Submission is set in a France seven years from now that is dominated by a Muslim president intent on imposing Islamic law.

From The Daily Beast

He added, “We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States.”

From The Daily Beast

Pyongyang has given the Obama administration no choice but to retaliate now by imposing sanctions or even an embargo.

From The Daily Beast

The floor-to-ceiling Texas flag, the single most imposing feature of the room, began to rise.

From The Daily Beast

What he fails to realize is that he is imposing the same urban title on his family in retaliation.

From The Daily Beast

I was rather awed by his imposing appearance, and advanced timidly to the doors, which were of glass, and pulled the bell.

From Project Gutenberg

In the center of the river line stood the imposing red sandstone palace of Bahadur Shah, last of the Moguls.

From Project Gutenberg

The law went into operation in England imposing a tax on wearing hair powder.

From Project Gutenberg

These brilliant results were arrived at after much clamour and argument and imposing procès verbal.

From Project Gutenberg

The huge engine, the wonderful carriages, the imposing guard, the busy porters and the bustling station.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• commanding
• grand
• grandiose
• imperial
• magnificent
• massive
• monumental
• noble
• ominous
• stately
• striking
• towering