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impose on or upon


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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
im•pose /ɪmˈpoʊz/USA pronunciation   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′),USA pronunciation 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. 
  1. to make an impression on the mind;
    impose one's or its authority or influence.
  2. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others:Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
  3. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
  4. 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. 
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged force, foist.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
impose / ɪmˈpəʊz/
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, setimˈposableimˈposer
'impose on or upon' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
impose

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