impose

verb im·pose \ im-ˈpōz \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

Hunter’s attorneys took the case to federal court in May 2016, the day before she was scheduled to be sent to jail to serve a sentence imposed two years earlier.

— kevin grasha, Cincinnati.com, "After more than 3 years, here’s where the Tracie Hunter case stands," 8 Apr. 2018
In return, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced plans to target $50 billion worth of US exports by imposing tariffs on products such as soybeans.

— clare foran, CNN, "Trump says US 'sealing up' southern border, demands China 'end unfair trade'," 7 Apr. 2018
In theory, this boosts the economy of the country imposing tariffs.

— jamie ducharme, Fortune, "Trump's Tariffs Against China Are Sparking Fears of a Trade War. Here's Why You Should Care," 6 Apr. 2018
Bolton and Pompeo have ties to individuals and groups that regard Islam not so much as a religion, but as a political ideology that is infiltrating the United States and other Western countries with the goal of imposing Muslim law.

— julie hirschfeld davis, BostonGlobe.com, "Kelly advised a resistant Trump to fire EPA chief," 6 Apr. 2018
Everyone is worried that Trump is igniting a trade war by imposing tariffs on other countries.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "You've got to work it," 5 Apr. 2018
Madrid responded by imposing direct rule over Catalonia.

— jeannette neumann, WSJ, "German Court Opens Path for Extradition of Catalan Separatist Leader," 5 Apr. 2018
On Monday, China returned fire by imposing similar measures on $3 billion worth of U.S. pork, fruit and other items.

— emily rauhala, Anchorage Daily News, "China fires back at Trump with the threat of tariffs on 106 U.S. products," 4 Apr. 2018
Asia’s top economy retaliated by imposing its own levies on Monday, while the U.S. is expected to release this week a new list of Chinese products to be slapped with duties.

— ranjeetha pakiam, Bloomberg.com, "Gold Is Heading to $1,400 If Trade War Breaks Out, According to Sprott," 2 Apr. 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

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First Known Use: 1581

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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)