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
• 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
• splendid
• formidable
• wonderful
• operatic
• stately
• noble
• gallant
• tremendous
• luxurious
• lavish
• remarkable
• baronial
• extraordinary
• monstrous
• sublime
• gorgeous
• extravagant
• august
• striking
• Homeric
• cosmic
• superb
• marvelous
• stupendous
• awesome
• prodigious
• inflated
• terrific
• princely
• wondrous
• magnific
• kingly
• divine
• lordly
• apocalyptic
• sumptuous
• heavenly
• awful
• queenly
• opulent
• overblown
• pompous
• prepossessing
• palatial
• redoubtable
• celestial
• killer
• resplendent
• sensational
• 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

In person, Rowbottom is striking — tall, platinum blond, soft-spoken — though less imposing than carefully self-possessed. — Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Wembanyama and the Spurs look far more imposing than Jokić and those Nuggets did two years ago. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 13 May 2026

Verb

Instead, in 2025, the House passed a bill imposing a ten-year moratorium on state regulation. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Looming large over the meeting will likely be artificial intelligence, after some industry leaders called for imposing safeguards on the industry earlier this month. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026