Impose has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
Verb
Verb
1
compel to behave in a certain way
"Social relations impose courtesy"
"duty constrains one to act often contrary to one's desires or inclinations"
2
impose something unpleasant
"The principal visited his rage on the students"
3
impose and collect
"levy a fine"
4
To establish or apply by authority.
"The new regulations will be imposed on all businesses starting next week."
In plain English: To impose something means to force it on someone else against their wishes.
"The teacher imposed a strict silence in the library during reading time."
Example Sentences
"The teacher imposed a strict silence in the library during reading time."
verb
"The new rules will impose stricter limits on traffic during rush hour."
verb
"Teachers must not impose their personal opinions on the students."
verb
"We decided to impose a two-day delay on the project launch due to unforeseen issues."
verb
Related Terms
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Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
Origin
The word "impose" comes from the French verb meaning "to place." It originally combined a prefix meaning "in" with a root for "put," creating the sense of setting something upon someone or placing a duty on them.