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.
verbImpose
To force a rule, tax, burden, or other obligation to be accepted or put in place by authority; to burden someone with something unwelcome.
verbImagine 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.
Sounds Like
im-POHZ
Looks Like
Looks like im + pose, suggesting placing something on someone
Remember This
Common collocations include impose a tax, impose a rule, impose a burden, or impose restrictions. The noun forms are imposition and imposer.
Other Forms
Connect With
enforce, levy, mandate, burden, foist
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.