impose
gb/ɪmpˈoʊz/ us/ɪmpˈoʊz/
B1
English
~ 1600
bevezet, elrendel, előír, ráterhel, ró, visszaél, valakinek a terhére van
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to impose [something] on [someone]
The government decided to impose strict new safety regulations.
A kormány úgy döntött, hogy szigorú új biztonsági előírásokat vezet be.
The school imposed a ban on mobile phones during class.
Az iskola tilalmat vezetett be a mobiltelefonok tanórai használatára.
The judge imposed a heavy fine on the company for breaking the law.
Learner examples
The teacher imposed new rules in the class.
A tanár új szabályokat vezetett be az osztályban.
The city imposed a ban on smoking in public places.
A város tilalmat vezetett be a nyilvános helyeken való dohányzásra.
The police imposed a curfew at night.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'impose' with 'suggest'—but 'impose' always involves authority and lack of choice.
Meaning
Force acceptance of something
Collocations
impose a ban
|impose restrictions
|impose a fine
|impose rules
|impose sanctions
Synonyms
enforce (Implies ensuring compliance with a rule or law through authority.)
|
dictate (Suggests giving orders that must be followed, often with authority.)
Antonyms
lift (To remove a rule, restriction, or ban that was in place.)
|
abolish (To officially end a law, practice, or system.)
Themes
law
|authority
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone accept or follow a rule, law, or idea, even if they do not want to.
To compel someone to accept, follow, or endure something, especially rules, laws, or limitations.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to impose [duty/responsibility] on [someone]
I don’t want to impose my problems on you.
Nem akarom rád terhelni a problémáimat.
The new policy imposes extra work on the staff.
Az új szabályzat többletmunkát ró a dolgozókra.
They imposed the task of organizing the event on her.
Learner examples
I don't want to impose my work on you.
Nem akarom rád terhelni a munkámat.
The manager imposed extra duties on the team.
A vezető pluszfeladatokat rótt a csapatra.
He imposed his ideas on the group.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense when they mean 'ask for help'—'impose' suggests causing inconvenience.
Meaning
Place a burden or duty
Collocations
impose a burden
|impose duties
|impose obligations
Synonyms
burden (To load someone with responsibilities or difficulties.)
|
encumber (To make movement or progress difficult with a load or obligation.)
Antonyms
relieve (To take away a responsibility or burden from someone.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|responsibility
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To give someone a job or problem that they did not ask for and may not want.
To cause someone to have to deal with an unwelcome responsibility, duty, or inconvenience.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to impose on [someone]
I hope I’m not imposing by staying another night.
Remélem, nem vagyok a terhedre azzal, hogy még egy éjszakát maradok.
She didn’t want to impose on their generosity any further.
Nem akart tovább visszaélni a nagylelkűségükkel.
It’s nice of you to offer, but I don’t want to impose.
Learner examples
I don't want to impose on you.
Nem akarok a terhedre lenni.
He is imposing by asking for more help.
Visszaél mások jóindulatával azzal, hogy még több segítséget kér.
She felt she was imposing by staying longer.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'visit'—'impose' suggests being a burden unintentionally.
Meaning
Overstay or overuse hospitality
Collocations
impose on someone's kindness
|impose on someone's time
Synonyms
intrude (To enter someone's space or time without welcome.)
|
overstay (To remain longer than is polite or acceptable.)
Antonyms
respect boundaries (To recognize and honor limits of time and hospitality.)
Themes
social
|relationships
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stay too long, ask for too much help, or use someone's kindness too much.
To unfairly take up someone’s time, resources, or hospitality beyond what is reasonable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impose
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈoʊz/
US/ɪmpˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
im - pose (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pose)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: impose
- 3rd Person Singular: imposes
- Present Participle: imposing
- Past: imposed
Word family
Forms
imposes
verb
imposing
verb
imposed
verb
Core family
imposition
noun C1
Related words
imposer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unimposing
adjective
Advanced or less common
imposingly
adverb
Expressions
impose a fine
1/ɪmpˈoʊz ə fˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
Order someone to pay money as penalty
To make someone pay money because they broke a rule or law.
Examples
- The court imposed a fine on the company for pollution.
- Police can impose fines for illegal parking.
impose on someone
1/ɪmpˈoʊz ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
phrasal verb
Take advantage of someone's hospitality
To use someone's kindness, time, or resources more than is fair or polite.
Examples
- I don’t want to impose on your evening plans.
- He imposed on his neighbors for a place to stay.
impose restrictions
1/ɪmpˈoʊz ɹistɹˈɪkʃənz/
fixed phrase
Put new limits in place
To create and start using new rules that control what people can do.
Examples
- The city imposed restrictions on water usage during the drought.
- They imposed restrictions to protect endangered species.
impose sanctions
1/ɪmpˈoʊz sˈæŋkʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
Apply official penalties against nation or group
To take official action to punish a country or group, often by limiting trade or contact.
Examples
- The UN imposed sanctions on the regime for human rights violations.
- The EU plans to impose sanctions on companies that violate the embargo.
- Several countries imposed sanctions after the invasion.
- Many countries refused to impose sanctions, fearing damage to their own economies.
- The league may impose sanctions if the club breaks the rules again.