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View synonyms for

impose

[ im-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

imposed, imposing.
  1. to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.:

    to impose taxes.

  2. to put or set by or as if by authority:

    to impose one's personal preference on others.

  3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.

    Synonyms: ,

  4. to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively:

    He imposed his pretentious books on the public.

  5. Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
  6. to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
  7. Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
  8. Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.


verb (used without object)

imposed, imposing.
  1. to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
  2. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others:

    Are you sure my request doesn't impose?

  3. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.

verb phrase

    1. to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
    2. to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
    3. to defraud; cheat; deceive:

      A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.

impose

/ ɪˈəʊ /

verb

  1. tr to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce

    to impose a tax on the people

  2. to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude
  3. intr to take advantage, as of a person or quality

    to impose on someone's kindness

  4. tr printing to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order
  5. tr to pass off deceptively; foist

    to impose a hoax on someone

  6. tr (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈDz, noun
  • ˈDz, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·Dz·· adjective
  • ·Dz· noun
  • ···Dz verb (used with object) overimposed overimposing
  • ··Dz verb (used with object) preimposed preimposing
  • ··Dz verb reimposed reimposing
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impose1

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English, from Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im- 1 + poser “to stop, cease”; pose 1; pose 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impose1

C15: from Old French imposer, from Latin ōԱ to place upon, from ōԱ to place, set
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Tax rises in October's Budget are "crippling" her salon business, she said, and the extra £23,000 a year imposed by the chancellor could prove the final nail in the coffin.

From

But administration officials also described the prison as imposing punishment on criminals.

From

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Swansea Crown Court he was imposing the order not as punishment, but for "ongoing, probably lifelong, medical help".

From

The announcement came after China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements, essential to the production of advanced technologies - including electric vehicles, fighter jets, and robots.

From

Chinese researchers have not been able to access Nasa's Moon samples because of restrictions imposed by US lawmakers on the space agency's collaboration with China.

From

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