impose

1 of 2

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

… one senses a touching attempt to impose some semblance of domestic normalcy.

—David Wild

2

a

: to force someone to accept (something)

imposed her will on her subjects

imposes his personal beliefs on his employees

b

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

impose oneself on others

3

a

archaic : 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

I didn't want to impose on his good nature.

imposer noun

imposer

2 of 2

noun

im·​pos·​er

-zə(r)

: one that imposes

especially : stoneman sense 1

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 of impose

Verb

• levy
• charge
• fine
• put
• assess

Examples of impose in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Behind its imposing wood and stone exterior, suites outfitted in pine furniture and crisp white linens read chalet-chic. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

In Wednesday’s court filing, attorneys for the detainees asked a federal judge to hold the government in civil contempt for violating the order and to impose daily fines of $500 for each violation until they are addressed. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Finally, the United States and the other mediators must work to ensure that both sides abide by their obligations under the October 2025 cease-fire and should be prepared to impose consequences for noncompliance. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

In her recent guest essay for the Sun Sentinel, Erika Donalds would have readers believe that David Jolly’s education plan threatens parental choice and seeks to impose uniformity on Florida’s schools. — Crystal Etienne, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1581, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing impose

• impose one's will

Rhymes for impose

• aloes
• arose
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

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