imposed; imposing
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
C. H. Plimpton2
: to force into the company or on the attention of another
impose oneself on others
4
: pass off
impose fake antiques on the public
: 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.
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 department said export control laws did not impose such restrictions.
—Luc Cohen, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
In a far-reaching move set to take effect on March 4th, President Donald J. Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign imports from Canada, a close ally and the US’ largest energy trading partner, as well as on Mexico.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
In that case, a paint company is challenging a fine imposed by an administrative law judge at the Transportation Department for violating a federal rule that requires paint cans to be packaged in a way that will keep them from leaking when transported on planes.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Though the president delayed his decision to impose a 25% tariff on most products shipping from Canada for 30 days, the threats have continued to come fast and furious — on Canadian goods generally, lumber, aluminum, and other products.
—Jeremy Lott, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impose
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Luc Cohen, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
In a far-reaching move set to take effect on March 4th, President Donald J. Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign imports from Canada, a close ally and the US’ largest energy trading partner, as well as on Mexico.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
In that case, a paint company is challenging a fine imposed by an administrative law judge at the Transportation Department for violating a federal rule that requires paint cans to be packaged in a way that will keep them from leaking when transported on planes.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Though the president delayed his decision to impose a 25% tariff on most products shipping from Canada for 30 days, the threats have continued to come fast and furious — on Canadian goods generally, lumber, aluminum, and other products.
—Jeremy Lott, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impose
Cite this Entry
“Impose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impose. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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