impose

verb im·pose \ im-ˈpōz \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: impose in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of impose

imposed; imposing

transitive verb

1 a : to establish or apply by authority

impose a tax

impose new restrictions

impose penalties

b : to establish or bring about as if by force

those limits imposed by our own inadequacies
—C. H. Plimpton

2 a : place, set

b : to arrange (type, pages, etc.) in the proper order for printing

3 : pass off

impose fake antiques on the public

4 : to force into the company or on the attention of another

impose oneself on others

intransitive verb

: to take unwarranted advantage of something

imposed on his good nature

—

imposer

noun

See impose defined for English-language learners

See impose defined for kids

Examples of impose in a Sentence

The judge imposed a life sentence.
I needed to break free from the limits imposed by my own fear of failure.

Recent Examples of impose from the Web

Other propaganda channels in China had similarly harsh words for the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods.

— paul mozur, New York Times, "China’s Official News Media Sharply Criticize Trump," 16 June 2018
Still, these tariffs will impose higher costs on U.S. companies that use the equipment.

— NBC News, "Trump slaps China with $50 billion in tariffs, Beijing immediately hits back, report says," 16 June 2018
After videos of brutal cow abuse were released, Animal Recovery Mission has drafted legislation to impose animal-welfare standards on dairies.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Brutal cow abuse videos result in reforms, possible legislation," 15 June 2018
Corker and the other sponsors offered the amendment in response to Trump’s recent decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies, a move that analysts said pushed the United States closer to a trade war.

— michael collins, USA TODAY, "Sen. Bob Corker says the GOP is becoming 'cult-like' in its support of President Trump," 13 June 2018
The Charlevoix G-7 summit was marked by sharp disagreements over Trump’s decision to impose higher import taxes on aluminum and steel imports.

— david mchugh, The Seattle Times, "Body language: Photo of Merkel, Trump captures G-7 tensions," 11 June 2018
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron separately indicated significant frustration in recent days with Trump over his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "McCain, Flake push back on Trump's call for Russia to rejoin the G7," 8 June 2018
This imposes a level of discipline that individual investors often lack.

— kathleen pender, San Francisco Chronicle, "Target date funds surge as more workers put 401(k) plans on autopilot," 5 June 2018
Both plans would impose a 2 percent sales tax rate on businesses' utility bills.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Louisiana budget and taxes: What needs to be resolved before midnight," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The Latin imposui meant "put upon", and that meaning carried over into English in impose. A CEO may impose a new manager on one of the company's plants. A state may impose new taxes on luxury items or cigarettes, and the federal government sometimes imposes trade restrictions on another country to punish it. A polite apology might begin with "I hope I'm not imposing on you" (that is, "forcing my presence on you"). And a self-imposed deadline is one that you decide to hold yourself to.

Origin and Etymology of impose

Middle French imposer, from Latin imponere, literally, to put upon (perfect indicative imposui), from in- + ponere to put — more at position

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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impose Synonyms

IMPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

impose

verb

Definition of impose for English Language Learners

: to cause (something, such as a tax, fine, rule, or punishment) to affect someone or something by using your authority
: to establish or create (something unwanted) in a forceful or harmful way
: to force someone to accept (something or yourself)