Impose

Quick meaning: Impose is a verb meaning To physically lay or place (something) on another thing; to deposit, to put, to set.

Meaning

To physically lay or place (something) on another thing; to deposit, to put, to set.

More Meanings

1. To apply, enforce, or establish (something, often regarded as burdensome as a restriction or tax: see verb sense 1.2.2) with authority.
2. To force or put (a thing) on someone or something by deceit or stealth; to foist, to obtrude.
3. To subject (a student) to imposition (“a task inflicted as punishment”).
4. To appoint (someone) to be in authority or command over other people.
5. To accuse someone of (a crime, or a sin or other wrongdoing); to charge, to impute.
6. To put (a conclusion or end) to something definitively.
7. To place or put (something chiefly immaterial, especially something regarded as burdensome as a duty, an encumbrance, a penalty, etc.) on another thing or on someone; to inflict, to repose; also, to place or put (on someone a chiefly immaterial thing, especially something regarded as burdensome).

Example Sentences

Congress imposed new tariffs.

In crueltie and outrage ſhe did pas, / To proue her ſurname true, that ſhe impoſed has.

Sanctions were imposed on the country that had made an unprovoked attack on its neighbour.

[H]is Svvaine / Strevv'd faire greene Oſiers; and impoſ'd thereon / A good ſoft Sheepeskin, vvhich made him a Throne.

Word Forms

• imposes
• imposing
• imposed
• imposest
• imposedst
• imposeth

Synonyms for impose

Depending on context, synonyms include enjoin, force, inflict, lay, enforce, visit.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include enforce, visit, levy, inflict, oblige, imposition.

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