impose

UK: /ɪmˈpəʊz/ US: /ɪmˈpoʊz/ ,(im pōz′)

Inflections of 'impose' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

imposes

v 3rd person singular

imposing

v pres p

imposed

v past

imposed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pose /ɪmˈpoʊz/   v., -posed, -pos•ing. 

1. to apply by authority;
   force the acceptance of:
   [~ + object] to impose taxes.
2. to thrust (oneself) impolitely upon others: [no object]
   Are you sure I'm not imposing, because I can come back later.
   [~ + on + object]
   She imposed on the boss for some help.
   [~ + oneself]
   to impose oneself uninvited.

im•pos•er, n. [countable] See -pos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pose  (im pōz′), v., -posed, -pos•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.:
   to impose taxes.
2. to put or set by or as if by authority:
   to impose one's personal preference on others.
3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
4. to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively:
   He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
5. [Print.] to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
6. to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
7. [Archaic.] to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
8. [Obs.] to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.

v.i. 

9. to make an impression on the mind;
   impose one's or its authority or influence.
10. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others:
    Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
11. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
12. impose on or upon:
    • to thrust oneself offensively upon others;
      intrude.
    • to take unfair advantage of;
      misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
    • to defraud;
      cheat;
      deceive:
      A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.

• Middle French imposer, equivalent. to im- im-¹ + poser to pose¹; see also pose²
• late Middle English 1475–85

im•pos′a•ble, adj. 
im•pos′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. force, foist.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impose / ɪmˈpəʊz/ verb
usually followed by on or upon:

1. (transitive) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce
2. to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude
3. (intransitive) to take advantage, as of a person or quality: to impose on someone's kindness
4. (transitive) to arrange (pages) so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order
5. (transitive) to pass off deceptively; foist

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French imposer, from Latin impōnere to place upon, from pōnere to place, set

imˈposable adjective

imˈposer noun