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 During the 2021-22 session of the California Legislature, Golden State lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom (D) enacted Assembly Bill 257, legislation that created the first state Fast Food Council, a new Sacramento bureaucracy tasked with imposing costly new regulations on franchisees. Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Additionally, there’s widespread support for Prop. 36, a November ballot measure that imposes stricter penalties for retail theft, among other things. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024 No massive relief from tariffs that the Trump administration imposed – but no major trade war either. Matt Egan, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 Ganguli added that a jury would have likely imposed the death penalty during a sentencing hearing. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impose 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near impose

Cite this Entry

“Impose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impose. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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