Vocabulary in context
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Impose
To force a rule, tax, burden, or other obligation to be accepted or put in place by authority; to burden someone with something unwelcome.
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Imagine This
Imagine a city council votes to impose a new recycling tax. The moment the vote passes, every shopper notices higher prices and new receipts listing the tax, while residents grumble about being required to pay for programs they didn’t choose.
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Sounds Like
im-POHZ
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Looks Like
Looks like im + pose, suggesting placing something on someone
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Remember This
Common collocations include impose a tax, impose a rule, impose a burden, or impose restrictions. The noun forms are imposition and imposer.
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Other Forms
impositionnoun
imposernoun
imposableadjective
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Connect With
enforce, levy, mandate, burden, foist
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Note
Impose can take a direct object (an object being imposed) or be followed by on/upon to indicate the person affected. Distinguish from inflict (which emphasizes harm) and from ‘allow’ or ‘permit’ (antonyms). Tip: When you hear ‘impose,’ think of placing a rule or burden on others as if you’re placing something on their shoulders.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The government imposed a new tax on carbon emissions.
- The school imposed a strict deadline for the assignment.
Synonyms
levyenforcefoistdictateimpose upon
Antonyms
permitallowlift (a burden)
Etymology
From Latin imponere 'to place upon', formed from in- 'on' + ponere 'to place'.
Mnemonic
Mnemon ic: IMPOSE = IM + POSE: to place on. Remember by thinking 'I place a rule on you.'
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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