Meaning & use
imposed
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“imposed” is a form of “impose”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Forced a rule, tax, punishment or other burden on people through authority.
Grammar: Takes an object and usually on: they imposed a fine on him.
Patterns
- impose something on someone
- impose something upon something
The city imposed a curfew after the riots.
The judge imposed a heavy fine on the company.
A strict dress code was imposed on all students.
verbtransitive
Pressed your own views or wishes on other people.
Grammar: Takes an object and on; often reflexive in the negative: don't impose your views on others.
Patterns
- impose your will on someone
He imposed his opinions on everyone at dinner.
The company imposed its own methods on the local office.
She never imposed her beliefs on her children.
verbintransitiveformal
Asked too much of someone's time or kindness.
Grammar: No object; takes on: I imposed on her hospitality.
Patterns
- impose on someone
I hope I haven't imposed on you by staying so long.
They imposed on their neighbor's kindness every weekend.
We felt we had imposed on the family too much.
Word forms
| base form | impose |
|---|---|
| third person singular | imposes |
| -ing form | imposing |
Common combinations
- imposed a fine
- The court imposed a fine of five hundred dollars.
- imposed restrictions
- The government imposed restrictions on travel.
- imposed sanctions
- Several countries imposed sanctions on the regime.
- imposed a ban
- The league imposed a ban on the player.
- externally imposed
- The deadline was externally imposed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- enforced
- Enforced stresses making sure a rule is obeyed, while imposed stresses setting it on people.
- levied
- Levied applies mainly to taxes and fees, but imposed fits many burdens.
- inflicted
- Inflicted usually refers to harm or suffering, while imposed also fits ordinary rules.
- forced
- Forced is plainer and more general, while imposed suggests formal authority.
Opposites
Word family
- imposition noun
- something forced on people, or an unfair request
- imposing adjective
- impressive in size or manner
- imposer noun
- rare, one who imposes
Commonly confused: imposed or impost?
imposed vs impost
Impost is an old word for a tax; imposed is the past tense of impose.
Practice
The council ___ a limit of two hours on parking in the town center.
Choose one answer.
Imposed a limit means set it as a rule. Proposed would only suggest it, opposed means resisted it, and composed means wrote or calmed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “imposed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.