Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

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

Example Sentences

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

It vvas here likevviſe, in a place vvhere the diſtance betvveen the oppoſite banks cannot exceed five hundred paces, that Xerxes impoſed a ſtupendous bridge of boats, for the purpoſe of tranſporting into Europe an hundred and ſeventy myriads of barbarians.

Congress imposed new tariffs.

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

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

Great alſo is the glorie of thoſe Britans, […] For they not only ſeated themſelves, there maugre the Romans, (then indeede lovv, and neare ſetting,) and the French: but alſo impoſed their name to the countrey, held an defended the ſame againſt the French, vntill in our grandfathers memorie, it vvas vnited to France by the ſacred bonds of matrimonie.

Thou on the deep impoſeſt Nobler lavvs, / And by that Juſtice haſt remov'd the cauſe / Of thoſe rude tempeſts vvhich for rapine ſent, / Too oft, alas, involv'd the innocent.

New Jersey was reeling on Wednesday from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, […] Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting.

Word Forms

• imposes
• imposing
• imposed
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• impose
• imposest
• imposedst
• imposeth
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Synonyms for impose

Related Words

When Should You Use Impose?

Use impose when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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