impose

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verb im·pose \im-ˈpōz\

Definition of impose

imposed

;

imposing

transitive verb
1a : to establish or apply by authority impose a tax impose new restrictions impose penaltiesb : to establish or bring about as if by force those limits imposed by our own inadequacies — C. H. Plimpton
2a : place, setb : 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

Last year, a federal appeals court ruled that the Town of East Hampton did not have the right to impose any restrictions on the airport's traffic, Patch reports.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "East Hampton Residents Are Trying to Limit Noise From Local Airport Traffic", 5 July 2017
Total had previously worked on the oil field, but pulled out in 2006 when sanctions were imposed against Iran over its nuclear program, which critics said was being used to develop nuclear weapons—a claim Iran denies.

— j. weston phippen, The Atlantic, "Iran Signs a $5 Billion Energy Deal With France's Total", 3 July 2017
Following a two-year review into 1MDB, Singapore imposed a total of S$29.1 million ($21 million) in financial penalties on eight banks, including DBS Group Holdings Ltd., the country’s largest.

— chanyaporn chanjaroen, Bloomberg.com, "Singapore Regulator Says 1MDB-Related Penalties 'Heavy Enough'", 29 June 2017
Commissioners imposed hiring requirements and minimum wages on the Meek property, which partnered with an Orlando developer, Foundry Commercial, to seek the kind of large tenant that would make the project profitable.

— douglas hanks, miamiherald, "Amazon plans mega warehouse in Opa-locka, will hire 1,000", 29 June 2017
Illinois cannot absorb additional financial burdens that would be imposed on the state and would be forced to reduce eligibility, covered services, and payments to providers.

— Naperville Sun, "Letters to the editor: Roundup, Naper Settlement, Carillon, dog rescue", 29 June 2017
County commissioners who balked at reappointing Welcome expressed frustration at the strictures imposed by the system.

— roxie hammill, kansascity, "County appraiser holds onto his post — barely", 28 June 2017
The Florida Legislature responded by overhauling the law to let the death penalty be imposed by at least a 10-2 jury vote.

— mike schneider, The Seattle Times, "Florida governor, prosecutor fight heads to state high court", 27 June 2017
Donald Trump chose Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker, as his Treasury secretary, a role that oversees the country’s tax system, borrows money on behalf of the government, and imposes financial sanctions against enemies of the U.S.

— michael sebastian, Cosmopolitan, "5 Things to Know About Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Treasury", 26 June 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

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First Known Use: 1581

See Words from the same year

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.