impose

/ɪmˈpoʊz/

/ɪmˈpʌʊz/

Other forms: imposed; imposing; imposes

To impose means to force or inflict something on someone else. If you want to impose your musical taste on your parents, play your tunes all day at top volume.

The verb impose emerged in the 1580s, meaning "to lay on as a burden," which is very similar to the modern meaning. Governments often impose taxes, legal restrictions, and other burdensome things on citizens, for example. But you should remember what Confucius once wisely said: "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."

Definitions of impose

1. verb

   charge and collect payment
   synonyms: levy

   types:

   toll

   charge a fee for using

   tithe

   levy a tithe on (produce or a crop)

   reimpose

   impose anew

   lay

   impose as a duty, burden, or punishment

   mulct

   impose a fine on

   tax

   levy a tax on

   distrain

   levy a distress on

   excise

   levy an excise tax on

   tariff

   charge a tariff

   surtax

   levy an extra tax on

   overtax

   tax excessively

   type of:

   bill, charge

   demand payment
2. verb

   compel to behave in a certain way
   “Social relations impose courtesy”

   synonyms: enforce

   type of:

   compel, obligate, oblige

   force somebody to do something
3. verb

   inflict something unpleasant
   synonyms: bring down, inflict, visit

   types:

   dictate, order, prescribe

   issue commands or orders for

   intrude, obtrude

   thrust oneself in as if by force

   clamp

   impose or inflict forcefully

   give

   inflict as a punishment

   foist

   force onto another

   mandate

   make mandatory

   type of:

   communicate, intercommunicate

   transmit thoughts or feelings