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Definition of imposingnext
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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
Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Verb
The Security Council's tools include imposing economic sanctions on a country deemed to have acted outside the law and the charter, military action, and facilitating multinational solutions to conflicts. Elena Giuliano, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026 Their blue line is huge and imposing with Radim Mrtka (BUF), Max Psenicka (UTA) and particularly Jiricek, who terrorized opponents all tournament, while the smaller Galvas competed well while making a ton of plays. Corey Pronman, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imposing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing
Adjective
  • The 37th Annual Producers Guild Awards to be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Fairmont Century Plaza, and will also include special honors celebrating distinguished producers whose careers reflect sustained excellence and influence.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Attorney, civil rights advocate and political commentator Bakari Sellers will be the event's distinguished speaker.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Then there’s the saltwater pool, all of the American mid-century and Danish modern furniture, and certainly the magnificent mountain and palm tree views.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Thiaw has been magnificent for Newcastle so far and this aberration should not overshadow that, but this was a game too far for the German, who surely requires a rest for the FA Cup tie with Bournemouth on Saturday.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As well as prohibiting establishments from refusing to accept cash, the bill prevents businesses from levying additional fees or surcharges on cash payments compared to cashless transactions.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
  • Voters could face a decision to approve levying a 1% sales tax on unincorporated areas of Yolo County or a countywide 1% sales tax.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • More than five hours after the crash, there was a solemn procession off of Route 146 led by Massachusetts State Police, followed by the medical examiner and fellow police officers.
    Anna Meiler, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • That this is a serious matter—not slight at all—does not oblige the author of a seriously funny book to be solemn.
    Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The mountains look glorious, green, and bizarrely in-your-face.
    Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This week, Tyler, the Creator recapped his glorious year in a triumphant freestyle, Sabrina Carpenter gifted her fans a Man’s Best Friend bonus track as an early Christmas present, and Doechii teamed up with SZA for a subdued yet motivational anthem.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The backpack-sized system uses compact hydrogen fuel cells to deliver long-lasting, stable power for applications where charging infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • According to charging documents, police were able to identify McKee by linking him to a car that arrived in the Tepes' neighborhood shortly before the murders and left just after the homicide.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Let it be said, though, that ruling this fairyland—where sweets jump through hoops, perky as peppermint, or swirl around, rich as Spanish chocolate—requires not just a decorous carriage and a cordial disposition but true ballerina grit.
    Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 9 Dec. 2025
  • The affair grows less decorous in farcical scenes of upstairs and downstairs life — kitchen staff toiling away on blunts, a trigger-happy shooting party, and cockney pub patrons breaking out in song — and the various side plots.
    Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • To address the problem, water managers many years ago lowered the levels, but the tree islands never recovered, leaving ghosts of islands that lack the elevation to support the majestic hardwoods found in other parts of the Everglades, such as cypress, pond apple and pop ash trees.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Expect a three- to four-hour trek of moderate difficulty, but the majestic views of the rocky coastline from the top are worth the trip.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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