imposingim‧pos‧ing /ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ $ -ˈpoʊ-/ adjective 
Examples
an imposing building He’s a tall, quietly spoken, but imposing figure.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- An imposing staircase led out of the hall.
- It's one of the most distinguished hotels in Italy, grand and imposing.
- The show took place outside the imposing Central Library building on Fifth Avenue.
- A major problem with imposing restrictions of this kind is that banks may find ways of getting round them.
- Over six feet tall, and square-shouldered, Marcus Judge was still an imposing character.
- Pergamon was an imposing hillside city and full advantage was taken of this dramatic site.
- She hurried along the path, past matching stone lions, up a few stairs to the imposing door.
- The fingerboard is rosewood with the somewhat imposing lightning bolt inlays which share the blue livery chosen for this particular model.
- The railway crossing was protected by imposing level crossing gates where it crossed the tram line.
- The site is distinguished by an imposing pair of gates, there is the station building itself and the mill.
- With her heart in her mouth she entered the imposing portals of Mon Ré, and rang the bell.
THESAURUS► impressive
Collocations used about something that people admire because it is very good, large, important etc: · The cathedral is very impressive.· The drug has shown some impressive results.
► dazzling extremely impressive – used especially when someone does something very well or looks very beautiful: · a dazzling performance· a dazzling smile
► breathtaking extremely impressive – used especially about beautiful views, or the fast speed of something: · The views of the Rocky Mountains are simply breathtaking.· The economy is growing at a breathtaking pace.
► spectacular very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · a spectacular fireworks display
► awe-inspiring so impressive that you feel great respect and admiration, or you feel rather frightened: · Michelangelo’s masterpiece is awe-inspiring.· The volcano was an awe-inspiring sight.
► majestic [usually before noun] very impressive because of being big and beautiful: · the majestic mountain scenery· a majestic animal
► imposing [usually before noun] written used about buildings and people that are large and impressive: · the imposing entrance hall· The bishop was an imposing figure.
Longman Language Activatorwords for describing someone or something that impresses you► impressive · The rich variety of animal life we found was very impressive.· Alan Howard has been impressive in "Henry IV' at the National Theatre.· You can visit the desert as part of an impressive 5-day excursion out of the city.· He gave an impressive performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 3.
► imposing a building or part of a building that is imposing is big and impressive: · An imposing staircase led out of the hall.· The show took place outside the imposing Central Library building on Fifth Avenue.· It's one of the most distinguished hotels in Italy, grand and imposing.
► dazzling impressive, especially because of being extremely skilfully done, having an unusually beautiful appearance etc - used especially in news reports: · During his short but dazzling career he broke almost every scoring record in the National League.· She looked dazzling, with her long blonde hair and diamond earrings.
► striking impressive, especially because of being very unusual to look at: · From the outside, the most striking aspect of the building is its tall, slender tower.· It's a tall plant with striking red flowers in early spring.· The face in the photograph was striking - good-looking and vivacious.
► awe-inspiring so big and impressive that you feel slightly nervous: · The pyramids at dawn were an awe-inspiring sight.· The canyon was so awe-inspiring that even Dan was speechless.
► breathtaking very impressive and exciting, especially as a result of great speed, size, or beauty: · The bank's new on-line service is still growing at a breathtaking pace.· The drive along the beach and up the mountain is truly breathtaking.· The guest house was on the side of the cliff, with breathtaking views of the ocean below.
► grand made or done in order to impress people: · The conferences always take place in grand hotels, away from the realities of life.· They always make grand promises to the biggest group of voters.
► majestic very impressive because of being very big and beautiful: · the majestic mountains of the Himalayas· Tintern Abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows.
► spectacular something such as a view or a performance that is spectacular is very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · The campground in Emerald Bay State Park has a spectacular setting.· To celebrate independence day, there was a spectacular fireworks display.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► an impressive/imposing building
large, impressive, and appearing important: · the impressive buildings around the town’s central square
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN► building· Food chain Tescos is thought to be interested in taking over the imposing building.· She tried to imagine what an imposing building it must have been in its time.· However, another whisky warehouse went up, illuminating beautifully the imposing building that is Donaldson's.· By the second century B.C. it had become a large square surrounded by imposing buildings.· These imposing buildings from another era were the meeting point for elements that the establishment wanted to keep apart.· The manor house is Alford's most imposing building.
an imposing building He’s a tall, quietly spoken, but imposing figure.