impose

verb

im·​pose im-ˈpōz 

imposed; imposing

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

2

: to force into the company or on the attention of another

impose oneself on others

3

a

: place, set

b

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

4

: pass off

impose fake antiques on the public

intransitive verb

: to take unwarranted advantage of something

imposed on his good nature

imposer noun

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.

Synonyms

• assess
• charge
• exact
• fine
• lay
• levy
• put

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

The Boston City Council plans to discuss the possibility of imposing a new local tax on sodas and other sugary drinks. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

He was held in contempt last week in the New York case for failing to turn over assets to Freeman and Moss, though U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has not yet imposed any sanctions on Giuliani for contempt. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

In 2015, India triggered an economic and humanitarian crisis in Nepal by imposing an unofficial six-month blockade, partly sparked by Kathmandu’s warming ties with Beijing, including its purchase of Chinese weaponry. —By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025

The move represents a seismic shift for Silicon Valley, which previously leaned left and had been critical of Trump, even imposing a temporary ban on Trump's social media profiles in 2020. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French imposer, from Latin imponere, literally, to put upon (perfect indicative imposui), from in- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing impose

• impose one's will

Kids Definition

impose

verb

im·​pose im-ˈpōz 

imposed; imposing

1

a

: to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

impose a fine

impose a tax

b

: to force somebody to accept or put up with

impose one's will on another

2

: to take unfair advantage

impose on a friend's good nature

imposer noun