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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
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 High in the Central Coast Mountains of British Columbia, the shadowy contours of more imposing peaks rise behind her. John Briley, Robb Report, 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
  • Udit Mehrotra is a distinguished product leader who currently serves as Head of Product Management for Customer Experience at Amazon Canada.
    Udit Mehrotra, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • Cruise will be honoured by the BFI on Monday with the awarding of a distinguished BFI Fellowship.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • In an era that looked as if it might be defined by an American man of depraved cruelty, corruption, and shame, what a magnificent thing the Catholic Church has done.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
  • One-day entry costs $60 ($25 for students), or $80 for unlimited visits through Tuesday, a modest price for a magnificent experience to see masterpieces that may be on view for the first or last time.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Far from solemn, the atmosphere has turned into a party of thousands.
    Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
  • Over the decades, observance of V-E Day in the West has assumed a more muted, solemn tone.
    Noah Rothman, National Review, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Marchand had a glorious chance at another goal denied by Woll’s left pad in the late stages of the second period.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 May 2025
  • Which is what makes David’s gesture so odd and so glorious.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Riders always have access to the entire phone screen and the charging port or audio jack.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • An innovative cooling system design ensures uniform heat removal from cells and busbars, which, combined with charging optimization algorithms, enables ultra-fast charging capabilities.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.
    Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
  • Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The majestic photo of the pair is just one moment caught in time.
    Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
  • There are no closing hours at the Colorado park, so visitors can make their way to Chasm View Overlook, Dragon Point Overlook, or Sunset View Overlook on the South Rim; or Chasm View Nature Trail or Kneeling Camel Overlook on the North Rim to get a glimpse of the majestic night sky.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Catholic social teaching affirms the right of individuals to migrate in pursuit of safety and a dignified life.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 12 May 2025
  • Downey emphasized the importance of designing shelters that are dignified and senior-friendly, while Cardenas described how Alpha Project customizes its services to meet the diverse needs of families and individuals facing complex health conditions.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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