Synonyms of imposing

imposing 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈpō-ziŋ 

1

as in distinguished

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner

the president of the bank is exactly the sort of imposing figure that one might expect

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distinguished
• solemn
• decorous
• dignified
• aristocratic
• stately
• elegant
• handsome
• portly
• staid
• distingué
• august
• sombre
• proper
• seemly
• somber
• majestic
• magisterial
• grim
• grave
• lordly
• noble
• po-faced
• sober
• elevated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• silly
• frivolous
• goofy
• improper
• undignified
• giddy
• crude
• coarse
• vulgar
• indecent
• uncouth
• unseemly
• flighty
• crass

2

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception

the corporation's imposing headquarters were designed by one of the nation's cutting-edge architects

Synonyms & Similar Words

• magnificent
• glorious
• majestic
• epic
• massive
• grand
• monumental
• proud
• regal
• impressive
• royal
• colossal
• imperial
• grandiose
• heroic
• formidable
• splendid
• wonderful
• stately
• noble
• gallant
• tremendous
• luxurious
• baronial
• heroical
• lavish
• operatic
• remarkable
• marvellous
• monstrous
• extraordinary
• gorgeous
• sublime
• august
• extravagant
• striking
• Homeric
• superb
• marvelous
• cosmic
• stupendous
• awesome
• prodigious
• terrific
• inflated
• princely
• wondrous
• magnific
• kingly
• lordly
• divine
• apocalyptic
• sumptuous
• cosmical
• heavenly
• awful
• queenly
• opulent
• overblown
• pompous
• prepossessing
• palatial
• redoubtable
• killer
• resplendent
• celestial
• sensational
• apocalyptical
• splendiferous
• palatine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• unimpressive
• ordinary
• unprepossessing
• average
• unimposing
• common
• lowly
• unheroic
• mediocre
• mean
• shabby
• abject
• sordid
• petty
• trivial
• insignificant
• meretricious
• puny
• trifling
• paltry
• second-rate
• run-of-the-mill
• measly

imposing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impose

as in levying

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

that state now imposes a fine for text messaging while driving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• levying
• charging
• fining
• putting
• assessing
• exacting
• taxing
• laying
• penalizing
• forcing
• inflicting
• extorting
• excising
• coercing
• compelling
• docking
• gouging
• milking
• wreaking
• mulcting
• squeezing
• bleeding
• wresting
• wringing
• relaying
• reimposing
• shaking down
• skinning
• fleecing
• setting
• reapplying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diminishing
• remitting
• lessening
• ignoring
• releasing
• abating
• disregarding
• forgiving
• excusing
• condoning
• pardoning
• glossing (over)
• glozing (over)

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

Recent Examples of imposing

Adjective

And on the other hand, in a world where most of their top arms remain healthy and effective, the Dodgers could possess one of the most imposing starting pitching staffs in recent memory. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025

The most imposing constructions, hidden by nature, towered above the tree canopy. —Anna Lagos, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024

Verb

Across the entirety of Patagonia’s Valdivian forests, explorers can encounter captivating birdlife, endemic amphibians and some of the earth’s most fascinating ungulates, many of which are largely ignored in favor of the region’s more imposing animals. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Watch Luca on Disney+ A Bug's Life Shrink to insect size in this 1998 film that depicts the battle of an ant named Flik (Dave Foley) and his misfit friends against an imposing grasshopper named Hopper (Kevin Spacey), who wants to take over their home. —Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025