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
On the first day of his second term, Trump issued executive orders to withdraw from the UN Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization and imposed a 90-day pause on all delivery of U.S. foreign aid.
—Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
As a result, experts have said a one-size-fits-all rate like what the White House imposed on steel, aluminum and cars would be devastating.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
The company derives about 11% of its sales in China, according to RBC Capital Markets, putting it at risk from the growing trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, which have imposed blanket tariffs of 100% or more on each country’s goods.
—Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Additionally, FinTech businesses in London must navigate complex regulations imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which raises their overall expenses.
—Paresh Sagar, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impose
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Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
As a result, experts have said a one-size-fits-all rate like what the White House imposed on steel, aluminum and cars would be devastating.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
The company derives about 11% of its sales in China, according to RBC Capital Markets, putting it at risk from the growing trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, which have imposed blanket tariffs of 100% or more on each country’s goods.
—Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Additionally, FinTech businesses in London must navigate complex regulations imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which raises their overall expenses.
—Paresh Sagar, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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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