impose

verb

im·​pose im-ˈpōz How to pronounce impose (audio)
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 inadequaciesC. 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.

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
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.
Meanwhile, residents across Connecticut live with among the highest energy costs in the nation, and fears of inflation as tariffs are imposed, federal agencies face closure and massive numbers of federal workers lose their jobs. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 Two months into his White House return, Trump has imposed tariffs on goods from neighboring Canada and Mexico as well as China, all steel and aluminum imports, and foreign cars and auto parts. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025 Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States that went into effect earlier this month. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 As played by the game's Laura Bailey, Abby is imposing and very muscular. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impose

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of impose was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impose. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

impose

verb
im·​pose im-ˈpōz How to pronounce impose (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on impose

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