Impose — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /im-ˈpōz/ im·pose

Meaning & Definition of Impose

Impose (verb)

  1. to establish or apply by authority
  2. to establish or bring about as if by force
  3. to force someone to accept (something)

Impose (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

    "that state now imposes a fine for text messaging while driving"

    similar: assess, charge, exact, fine, lay, levy, put
    related: dock, excise, mulct, penalize, tax, extort, shake down, wrest, wring, bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze, coerce, compel, force, inflict, wreak, set, reapply, reimpose, relay
    opposite: remit
    near: abate, diminish, lessen, forgive, release, condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon

Related Entry: Impose (on or upon) (verb)

Impose (on or upon) is a different word from Impose. The synonyms below are for impose (on or upon), not for impose.

  1. to take unfair advantage of

    "thanks for offering your own bed, but I wouldn't dream of imposing on you and will be perfectly happy on the couch"

    similar: abuse, capitalize (on), cash in (on), exploit, leverage, milk, pimp, play (on or upon), use, work, trade on, walk on
    related: jerk around, manipulate, mistreat, bleed, cheat, fleece, overcharge, skin, soak, stick, commercialize, commodify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Impose

The most common words with a similar meaning to Impose:

assess, charge, exact, fine, lay, levy, put

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Impose

Words with the opposite meaning of Impose:

remit

Related Words for Impose

dock, excise, mulct, penalize, tax, extort, shake down, wrest, wring, bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze, coerce, compel, force, inflict, wreak, set, reapply, reimpose, relay

Near Antonyms of Impose

abate, diminish, lessen, forgive, release, condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon

Word Forms of Impose

Inflections: imposed, imposing

Derived words: imposer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Impose

Middle French imposer, from Latin imponere, literally, to put upon (perfect indicative imposui), from in- + ponere to put position

First known use: 1581t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Impose

Words & Phrases Containing Impose

impose one's will

Frequently Asked Questions about Impose

What does "Impose" mean?

"Impose" means to establish or apply by authority. As a verb, it is defined as: to establish or apply by authority.

What is another word for "Impose"?

Other words for "Impose" include assess, charge, exact, fine, lay, levy and put. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Impose" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Impose"?

There are 31 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Impose". Common alternatives include assess, charge, exact, fine, lay, levy and put.

What is the opposite of "Impose"?

Antonyms of "Impose" include remit. Near antonyms include abate, diminish, lessen and forgive.

How do you use "Impose" in a sentence?

Examples of "Impose" in a sentence: "that state now imposes a fine for text messaging while driving".

Is "Impose" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Impose" is a verb.

Is "Impose" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Impose" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Impose"?

"Impose" is pronounced /im-ˈpōz/ and divided into syllables as im·pose.