(imposes, imposing, imposed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If you impose something on people, you use your authority to force them to accept it.
Britain imposed fines on airlines which bring in passengers without proper papers...
Many companies have imposed a pay freeze...
The conditions imposed on volunteers were stringent.
VERB: V n on n, V n, V-ed
• imposition
...the imposition of a ban on cycling in the city centre.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
2.
If you impose your opinions or beliefs on other people, you try and make people accept them as a rule or as a model to copy.
Parents of either sex should beware of imposing their own tastes on their children.
VERB: V n on n
3.
If something imposes strain, pressure, or suffering on someone, it causes them to experience it.
The filming imposed an additional strain on her.
= inflict
VERB: V n on n
4.
If someone imposes on you, they unreasonably expect you to do something for them which you do not want to do.
I was afraid you'd simply feel we were imposing on you...
VERB: V on/upon n
• imposition (impositions)
I know this is an imposition. But please hear me out.
N-COUNT
5.
If someone imposes themselves on you, they force you to accept their company although you may not want to.
I didn't want to impose myself on my married friends.
VERB: V pron-refl on n