impose

6 definitions • 12 examples

to officially force a rule, tax, punishment, etc. to be obeyed or received:

be imposed on Very high taxes have recently been imposed on cigarettes.

Judges are imposing increasingly heavy fines for minor driving offences.

impose something on something The council has imposed a ban on alcohol in the city parks.

to force someone to accept something, especially a belief or way of living:

impose something on someone I don't want them to impose their religious beliefs on my children.

We must impose some kind of order on the way this office is run.

to expect someone to do something for you or spend time with you when they do not want to or when it is not convenient for them:

Are you sure it's all right for me to come tonight? I don't want to impose.

impose on She's always imposing on people - asking favours and getting everyone to do things for her.

to establish something as a rule to be obeyed, or to force the acceptance of something:

Settlers often imposed their culture on the peoples of the countries they conquered.

to cause inconvenience to someone or to try to spend time with them when they do not want you to:

She’s always imposing on people for favors.

I hope I’m not imposing by staying another night.

to introduce a new law, tax, rule, or punishment:

impose a ban/restriction/penalty on sb/sth They are calling for the regulatory body to impose a ban on television ads aimed at the under-12s.

to impose a fine/tariff/tax