self-imposed

adjective

self-im·​posed ˌself-im-ˈpōzd 

: imposed by oneself : voluntarily assumed

a self-imposed deadline

living in self-imposed exile

Synonyms of self-imposed

• voluntary
• volunteer

Examples of self-imposed in a Sentence

if the candidates all follow self-imposed campaign-spending limits, government oversight is unnecessary

Recent Examples on the Web

This season, De La Salle self-imposed a five-game suspension on the baseball team to start the year due to violations of school policy, team rules and code of conduct, three games of which resulted in forfeits. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 5 June 2026

The 60-year-old had permed her hair every six weeks for 30 years before realizing that chemically straightening her hair had become a time-consuming and self-imposed obligation. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026

How much pressure is self-imposed, and how much is out of your control? — Andee Tagle, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026

But some of the obstacles to growth in Half Moon Bay are self-imposed. — John Ramos, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-imposed

• anastomosed
• misdiagnosed
• overexposed
• superimposed
• undecomposed
• apposed
• bulldozed
• composed
• deposed
• disclosed
• disposed
• enclosed

Kids Definition

self-imposed

adjective

self-im·​posed

ˌsel-fim-ˈpōzd

: imposed on one by oneself : voluntarily assumed