impose
verb/ɪmˈpəʊz/
/ɪmˈpəʊz/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they impose | /ɪmˈpəʊz/ /ɪmˈpəʊz/ |
| he / she / it imposes | /ɪmˈpəʊzɪz/ /ɪmˈpəʊzɪz/ |
| past simple imposed | /ɪmˈpəʊzd/ /ɪmˈpəʊzd/ |
| past participle imposed | /ɪmˈpəʊzd/ /ɪmˈpəʊzd/ |
| -ing form imposing | /ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ/ /ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] to introduce a new law, rule, tax, etc.; to order that a rule, punishment, etc. be used
- impose something The UN Security Council imposed sanctions in 1992.
- to impose a penalty/fine/sentence/ban
- impose something on/upon something/somebody A new tax was imposed on fuel.
Extra ExamplesTopics Permission and obligationb2- One side in the conflict cannot unilaterally impose a settlement.
- The government has imposed a ban on the sale of handguns.
- The terms of the contract were effectively imposed rather than agreed.
- a centrally imposed school curriculum
- the pressure of having to meet externally imposed targets
- A prison sentence of 25 years was imposed on each of the defendants.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- effectively
- simply
- centrally
- …
- seek to
- try to
- on
- upon
Definitions on the go
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- [transitive] to force somebody/something to have to deal with something that is difficult or unpleasant
- impose something He described the limitations imposed by his disease.
- impose something on/upon somebody/something This system imposes additional financial burdens on many people.
- to impose restrictions/constraints/obligations on somebody/something
- The time limits are imposed on us by factors outside our control.
Extra Examples- They have imposed restrictions on water use.
- New technology cannot be used successfully if it is simply imposed on an unwilling workforce.
- The will of the majority has been forcibly imposed on the minority.
- I feel imposed upon when I have to take work home.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- effectively
- simply
- centrally
- …
- seek to
- try to
- on
- upon
- [transitive] impose something (on/upon somebody) to make somebody accept the same opinions, wishes, etc. as your own
- She didn't want to impose her values on her family.
- It was noticeable how a few people managed to impose their will on the others.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- effectively
- simply
- centrally
- …
- seek to
- try to
- on
- upon
- [intransitive] to expect somebody to do something for you or to spend time with you, when it may not be convenient for them
- ‘You must stay for lunch.’ ‘Well, thanks, but I don’t want to impose…’
- impose on/upon somebody/something Everyone imposes on Dave's good nature.
- [transitive] impose yourself (on/upon somebody/something) to make somebody/something accept or be aware of your presence or ideas
- European civilization was the first to impose itself across the whole world.
Word Originlate 15th cent. (in the sense ‘impute’): from French imposer, from Latin imponere ‘inflict, deceive’ (from in- ‘in, upon’ + ponere ‘put’), but influenced by impositus ‘inflicted’ and Old French poser ‘to place’.
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impose