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imposing

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verb

present participle of impose

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective imposing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of imposing are grandiose, grand, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When would grand be a good substitute for imposing?

In some situations, the words grand and imposing are roughly equivalent. However, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is it sensible to use grandiose instead of imposing?

Although the words grandiose and imposing have much in common, grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience, but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose hydroelectric projects
grandiose schemes

When can magnificent be used instead of imposing?

The meanings of magnificent and imposing largely overlap; however, magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How does the word majestic relate to other synonyms for imposing?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

When could stately be used to replace imposing?

While the synonyms stately and imposing are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imposing
Adjective
The Foundling certainly sounds like a more imposing leader in the long term than the country’s autocrat-of-the-day, right? Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2024 Chris Davis For a few seasons, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was one of the more imposing hitters in the American League. Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Head to Mill Creek Lake to kayak or fish for bass, bluegill, crappie, and trout in a sunny spot that’s surrounded by imposing cliffs and a dense forest. Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025 These innovations enable companies to balance cost savings with employee experience, rather than imposing rigid RTO mandates that drive attrition. Solange Charas, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imposing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing
Adjective
  • The event will bestow the iconic BAFTA mask upon three distinguished honorees, marking only the sixth time that the BAFTA mask is awarded in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for BAFTA North America.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Friendly House will grant each honoree a separate award for their distinguished efforts and accomplishments.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To call this 1,184 hp street-legal Prancing Horse magnificent feels like an understatement.
    Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2025
  • So the first stage of our trip was to visit Avenue of the Giants, the magnificent 31-mile drive through an ancient redwood forest.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Shortly after the 12-day war concluded, Khamenei emerged from his bunker to lead a solemn religious ceremony.
    Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
  • China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • When our planet crosses through such a path, these bits of rock and dust burn up in our atmosphere in a glorious spectacle.
    Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2025
  • And that level, quite literally, is on high in an evil genius’ tower akin to Universal Studios' glorious black and white monster movies that began in the 1930s — a genre that Burton has been inspired by before, most prominently in his 2012 stop-motion classic Frankenweenie.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Riders always have access to the entire phone screen and the charging port or audio jack.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Which California county has most EV charging ports?
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
  • More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.
    Rebecca Solnit August 23, Literary Hub, 23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • The majestic mountains of Pakistan are rarely – if ever – considered among this prestigious group.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The celebration at the majestic 146-year-old mansion is the latest in a string of major improvements in the working-class section of Nashville that runs from the airport to the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell noted after the ceremony.
    Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His young sons clung to family members as a silent crowd watched the dignified transfer, officers standing at attention lining the pathway with hands raised in a salute.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
  • New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer, met with Islam’s family and attended the dignified transfer of the slain officer.
    Stephen Sorace , Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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