IMPOSING Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'imposing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of imposing are grandiose , grand , magnificent , majestic , and stately . While all these words mean "large and impressive," imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness. // an imposing edifice

Q: When would 'grand' be a good substitute for 'imposing'?

In some situations, the words grand and imposing are roughly equivalent. However, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity. // a grand staircase

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grandiose' instead of 'imposing'?

Although the words grandiose and imposing have much in common, grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience, but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration. // grandiose hydroelectric projects // grandiose schemes

Q: When can 'magnificent' be used instead of 'imposing'?

The meanings of magnificent and imposing largely overlap; however, magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste. // magnificent paintings

Q: How does the word 'majestic' relate to other synonyms for 'imposing'?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur. // a majestic waterfall

Q: When could 'stately' be used to replace 'imposing'?

While the synonyms stately and imposing are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement. // the stately procession

imposing 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈpō-ziŋ

Definition of imposing next

as in distinguished

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner the president of the bank is exactly the sort of imposing figure that one might expect

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the corporation's imposing headquarters were designed by one of the nation's cutting-edge architects

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

imposing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impose

as in levying

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty that state now imposes a fine for text messaging while driving

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective imposing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of imposing are grandiose, grand, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When would grand be a good substitute for imposing?

In some situations, the words grand and imposing are roughly equivalent. However, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is it sensible to use grandiose instead of imposing?

Although the words grandiose and imposing have much in common, grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience, but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose hydroelectric projects

grandiose schemes

When can magnificent be used instead of imposing?

The meanings of magnificent and imposing largely overlap; however, magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How does the word majestic relate to other synonyms for imposing?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

When could stately be used to replace imposing?

While the synonyms stately and imposing are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of imposing

Adjective

Utah has one of the most imposing front sevens in the country, and Baylor continued to play smashmouth football and dominate at the line of scrimmage. —

Michael Haag, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2023 Perhaps the most imposing structure in the old town is the largest brick church in the world, the Basilica of St. Mary. —

Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2023

Verb

Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate in January, underscoring the hurdles in imposing restrictions on a separate branch of government even as public confidence in the court has fallen to record lows. —

Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024 Missouri Senator Josh Hawley accused them of imposing higher fees on small businesses than large corporations. —

Emma Withrow, Baltimore Sun, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imposing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing

Adjective

Bing Zhang, a distinguished professor in the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has worked on research that models the origin points of fast radio bursts for years and has seen many observational clues suggesting magnetospheres could be a root cause.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
Her distinguished career has been recognized with the prestigious Grand Dame award of Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEI), as well as 2013 Woman of the Year by the Maître Cuisiniers de France.

— Cynthia Graubart, Bon Appétit, 24 Jan. 2025