impose

verb

im·pose | \ im-ˈpōz

imposed; imposing

Definition of impose

transitive verb

1a : to establish or apply by authority impose a tax impose new restrictions impose penalties

b : to establish or bring about as if by force those limits imposed by our own inadequacies— C. H. Plimpton

2a : place, set

b : to arrange (type, pages, etc.) in the proper order for printing

3 : pass off impose fake antiques on the public

4 : to force into the company or on the attention of another impose oneself on others

intransitive verb

: to take unwarranted advantage of something imposed on his good nature

Other Words from impose Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about impose

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Synonyms & Antonyms for impose

Synonyms

assess, charge, exact, fine, lay, levy, put

Antonyms

remit

Did You Know?

The Latin imposui meant "put upon", and that meaning carried over into English in impose. A CEO may impose a new manager on one of the company's plants. A state may impose new taxes on luxury items or cigarettes, and the federal government sometimes imposes trade restrictions on another country to punish it. A polite apology might begin with "I hope I'm not imposing on you" (that is, "forcing my presence on you"). And a self-imposed deadline is one that you decide to hold yourself to.

Examples of impose in a Sentence

The judge imposed a life sentence. I needed to break free from the limits imposed by my own fear of failure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Investors have been worried that uncertainty over the conflict and the fallout from tariffs goods imposed by both sides will exacerbate a slowdown in global economic growth and hurt corporate profits. — Washington Post, "Asian shares rise on optimism over more US-China trade talks," 6 Sep. 2019 Under the terms imposed by the government in 2012, Fannie and Freddie have also reduced their capital by $600m a year, remitting those funds to the taxpayer in addition to any profits. — The Economist, "The Treasury plans to privatise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," 6 Sep. 2019 Beijing responded by imposing duties of 10% and 5% on a range of American imports. — CBS News, "Stocks jump on word U.S.-China trade talks to resume in October," 5 Sep. 2019 Tehran has tried to free itself from the crippling effects of US economic sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump after the US withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal in May 2018. — Artemis Moshtaghian And Sarah El Sirgany, CNN, "Iran is releasing seven Indian crew members from seized UK tanker," 4 Sep. 2019 Pellegrino and his colleagues suspect that the answer has everything to do with the limits imposed by our fragile biology—how much information our brains can take in—or produce—at any one time. — Catherine Matacic, Science | AAAS, "Human speech may have a universal transmission rate: 39 bits per second," 4 Sep. 2019 Sultan’s case is highlighted as citizens in Kashmir contend with a communications blackout imposed by the Indian government in early August. — Time Staff, Time, "These Are the 10 'Most Urgent' Cases of Threats to Press Freedom Around the World," 3 Sep. 2019 And just as there is wide agreement that the Twin Cities have an affordable housing problem, there is also wide agreement on its causes: excessive fees and regulations imposed by state and local legislators. — John Phelan, Twin Cities, "John Phelan: Affordable housing is rare because it’s illegal to build," 1 Sep. 2019 Their promise is to get Greece out of its current crisis and reject some of the austerity measures imposed upon it by the EU. — Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Adults in the Room': Film Review | Venice 2019," 31 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for impose

impose

verb

English Language Learners Definition of impose

: to cause (something, such as a tax, fine, rule, or punishment) to affect someone or something by using your authority

: to establish or create (something unwanted) in a forceful or harmful way

: to force someone to accept (something or yourself)

See the full definition for impose in the English Language Learners Dictionary

impose

verb

im·pose | \ im-ˈpōz

imposed; imposing

Kids Definition of impose

1 : to establish or apply as a charge or penalty The judge imposed a fine.

2 : to force someone to accept or put up with Don't impose your beliefs on me.

3 : to ask for more than is fair or reasonable : take unfair advantage Guests imposed on his good nature.

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impose

Definition of impose

Other Words from impose

Synonyms & Antonyms for impose

Did You Know?

Examples of impose in a Sentence

First Known Use of impose

History and Etymology for impose

English Language Learners Definition of impose

Kids Definition of impose

impose

Definition of impose

Other Words from impose

Synonyms & Antonyms for impose

Did You Know?

Examples of impose in a Sentence

First Known Use of impose

History and Etymology for impose

English Language Learners Definition of impose

Kids Definition of impose

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