to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.: to impose taxes.
to put or set by or as if by authority: to impose one's personal preference on others.
to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively: He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
verb (used without object),im·posed,im·pos·ing.
to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others: Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
Verb Phrases
impose on / upon
to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
to defraud; cheat; deceive: A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.
Origin of impose
1475–85; late Middle English <Middle French imposer, equivalent to im-im-1 + poser to pose1; see also pose2
SYNONYMS FOR impose
3 force, foist.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR impose ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM impose
im·pos·a·ble,adjectiveim·pos·er,nouno·ver·im·pose,verb (used with object),o·ver·im·posed,o·ver·im·pos·ing.pre·im·pose,verb (used with object),pre·im·posed,pre·im·pos·ing.