impose

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verb im·pose \ im-ˈpōz \

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

In May 2016, the district imposed a two-year hiring ban on the coaches due to rules violations based on an investigation by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association of the football program, which resulted in WIAA sanctions.

— jayda evans, The Seattle Times, "Two-year ban on former Bellevue football coach Butch Goncharoff ruled a violation of union rights," 29 Aug. 2017
The financial penalty was imposed Aug. 4 and will amount to $151,552 by Labor Day, MMSD contract compliance manager Patrick Obenauf said in an Aug. 23 letter to Royer.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee sewerage district imposes $151,000 penalty on treatment plant operator," 25 Aug. 2017
Dinkelacker will ultimately decide whether to impose a death sentence.

— kevin grasha, Cincinnati.com, "Serial killer's brain scans could play role in death penalty decision," 24 Aug. 2017
Town officials said, however, that the contract of sale imposes a number of restrictions on the buyer and also provides the town with a perpetual easement.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "Bel Air to sell property along Baltimore Pike," 23 Aug. 2017
According to her, Team 10 members had to follow very strict rules imposed by Jake, including them not being allowed to drink in the Team 10 house and be up by 10a.m. filming or risk having to pay a hefty fine.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "A Complete Timeline of Jake Paul's Super Controversial Year," 22 Aug. 2017
Earlier this month, when Russia retaliated against new sanctions imposed by Congress by forcing the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to cut its workforce by 755 people, the president seemed to welcome the snub, outraging many in the diplomatic community.

— james baker, vanityfair.com, "Is Rex Tillerson Destroying the State Department in Order to Save It?," 20 Aug. 2017
The former Blackburn man looked offside, despite no flag being raised but Mourinho's side tried to impose themselves on their hosts with little success.

— SI.com, "Swansea 0-4 Man United: Ruthless Red Devils Record Back-to-Back 4-0 Wins as Lukaku Scores Again," 19 Aug. 2017
Styling changes include a more wagonlike profile featuring sharper-looking details, a slightly sloped roof, and an imposing angular grille.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Redesign of Audi Q7 for 2017 raises the bar for this 7-passenger crossover," 18 Aug. 2017

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

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impose Synonyms

Synonyms

assess, charge, exact, fine, lay, levy, put

Antonyms

remit

Related Words

dock, excise, mulct, penalize, tax; extort, shake down, wrest, wring; bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze; coerce, compel, force; inflict, wreak; set; reapply, reimpose, relay

Near Antonyms

abate, diminish, lessen; forgive, release; condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon

IMPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

impose

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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)

IMPOSE Defined for Kids

impose

play

verb im·pose \ im-ˈpōz \

Definition of impose for Students

imposed; imposing

1 :to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

The judge imposed a fine.

2 :to force someone to accept or put up with

Don't impose your beliefs on me.

3 :to ask for more than is fair or reasonable :take unfair advantage

Guests imposed on his good nature.

Learn More about impose

See words that rhyme with impose Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impose Spanish Central: Translation of impose Nglish: Translation of impose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impose for Arabic speakers

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impose

Definition of impose

imposer

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Examples of impose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of impose from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of impose

impose Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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IMPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

impose

Definition of impose for English Language Learners

IMPOSE Defined for Kids

impose

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