imposition
gb/ˌɪmpəzˈɪʃən/ us/ˌɪmpəzˈɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
an unwelcome burden or demand
Something that bothers someone because it asks too much of them.
Usage pattern:
an imposition (on [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the verb impose; in this sense, imposition is the burden itself.
Synonyms
burden (General word for something hard to carry or deal with.)
|
inconvenience (Often milder; focuses on disruption more than unfairness.)
|
intrusion (Emphasizes unwanted interference, especially socially.)
Antonyms
help (Something that makes things easier rather than harder.)
|
favor (A kind act done willingly, not a burden.)
|
relief (A reduction of pressure or difficulty.)
Collocations
a real imposition
|an unnecessary imposition
|a huge imposition
|a serious imposition
|an imposition on someone
|feel like an imposition
|see it as an imposition
|consider it an imposition
|resent the imposition
|avoid being an imposition
Themes
daily_life
|social
|work
|emotions
Examples
- I hate to ask, but could you give me a ride, or would that be an imposition?
- The extra paperwork feels like an imposition on already busy staff.
- Staying with them for two weeks would be too much of an imposition.
Learner examples
- Sorry to bother you—I don’t want to be an imposition.
- Could I ask a small favor, or is it an imposition?
Noun
formal
C1
process
2
the act of imposing rules or taxes
The act of making people follow a new rule or pay a new tax.
Usage pattern:
the imposition of [a tax/rule/ban/sanctions] (on [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Common error: using it without “of” (e.g., “the imposition new rules” instead of “the imposition of new rules”).
Synonyms
introduction (Neutral; does not necessarily imply force or unfairness.)
|
enforcement (Focuses on making rules obeyed, not creating them.)
|
levying (Used especially for taxes and fees.)
Antonyms
removal (Taking away a rule, tax, or restriction.)
|
repeal (Official cancellation of a law or rule.)
|
lifting (Ending a restriction or ban.)
Collocations
the imposition of sanctions
|the imposition of a tax
|the imposition of tariffs
|the imposition of a ban
|the imposition of restrictions
|the imposition of fines
|the imposition of fees
|the imposition of controls
|the imposition of rules
|the imposition on businesses
Themes
government
|law
|business
|politics
Examples
- The imposition of new tariffs raised prices for consumers.
- Human rights groups criticized the imposition of a nationwide curfew.
- The imposition of late fees was intended to discourage missed payments.
Learner examples
- The imposition of the new rule made everyone angry.
- They discussed the imposition of a tax on plastic bags.
Noun
formal
C2
rule
3
a rule or tax that is imposed
A tax or rule that someone makes you accept.
Usage pattern:
[an] imposition(s) on [someone/something]
Common mistake:
This sense is more formal and less common; learners may prefer “tax,” “fee,” “rule,” or “requirement” in everyday speech.
Synonyms
tax (Most common everyday word; specifically about money paid to government.)
|
requirement (Broader; includes non-financial obligations.)
|
restriction (Specifically limits what people can do.)
Antonyms
exemption (Freedom from a tax, rule, or requirement.)
|
freedom (Lack of imposed limits or obligations.)
|
choice (Doing something voluntarily rather than under obligation.)
Collocations
new impositions
|fiscal impositions
|regulatory impositions
|unfair impositions
|government impositions
|legal impositions
|impositions on business
|impositions on citizens
|administrative impositions
|costly impositions
Themes
government
|law
|business
Examples
- Small businesses complained about the latest impositions on hiring.
- The policy adds new impositions without clear benefits.
- Voters were promised fewer impositions and lower costs.
Learner examples
- The new fee is an imposition on students.
- They want to reduce impositions on small shops.
Noun
formal
C2
event
4
a trick or dishonest deception
A trick that fools someone.
Usage pattern:
an imposition (on [someone])
Common mistake:
This meaning is relatively rare in modern everyday English; learners may instead use “trick,” “scam,” or “hoax.”
Synonyms
hoax (Often a public trick meant to be believed.)
|
scam (Usually done to get money or advantage.)
|
fraud (More legal/formal; often involves documents or financial deception.)
Antonyms
truth (What is real or accurate, not deceptive.)
|
honesty (The quality of being truthful and not misleading.)
|
revelation (Making the real facts known rather than hiding them.)
Collocations
a cruel imposition
|a deliberate imposition
|a complete imposition
|an imposition on the public
|practice impositions
|play an imposition
|expose the imposition
|see through the imposition
Themes
social
|crime
|media
Examples
- The “miracle cure” turned out to be an imposition on desperate patients.
- He admitted the story was an imposition meant to impress his friends.
- The newspaper apologized for repeating the imposition without checking the facts.
Learner examples
- The email was an imposition to steal money.
- It was just an imposition, not a real offer.
Noun
technical
C2
process
5
page layout for printing sheets
In printing, placing pages on a sheet in the right order.
Usage pattern:
imposition for [a booklet/catalog/book]
Common mistake:
This technical sense is different from the common “burden” sense; it is mainly used in printing and graphic design.
Synonyms
pagination (Related, but usually means numbering/ordering pages, not arranging them on a printing sheet.)
|
layout (Broader term; not specific to print-sheet arrangement.)
|
prepress planning (Wider process that includes imposition.)
Antonyms
disorder (Pages not arranged correctly.)
|
misalignment (Incorrect placement; not a direct opposite but contrasts with correct setup.)
|
randomization (Lack of planned order.)
Collocations
page imposition
|printer's imposition
|sheet imposition
|imposition layout
|imposition settings
|imposition software
|imposition scheme
|imposition template
|perfect-bound imposition
|booklet imposition
Themes
technology
|media
|design
Examples
- The designer checked the imposition to make sure the booklet would fold correctly.
- A simple error in imposition can swap the order of pages in the final print.
- The print shop adjusted the imposition to fit more pages per sheet.
Grammar
Dictionary form
imposition
IPA
GB/ˌɪmpəzˈɪʃən/
US/ˌɪmpəzˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
im - pos - i - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (i)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: imposition
- Plural: imposition, impositions
Word family
Forms
impositions
noun
Core family
impose
verb B1
imposing
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unimposing
adjective
Advanced or less common
imposingly
adverb
Expressions
feel like an imposition
1/fˈil lˈaɪk ən ˌɪmpəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
feel you are bothering someone
To feel bad because you think you are causing trouble for someone.
Examples
- I didn’t want to call again—I was starting to feel like an imposition.
- She stayed in a hotel because she didn’t want to feel like an imposition on her relatives.
- When you’re recovering, it’s easy to feel like an imposition even when people are glad to help.
it’s no imposition.
1/ˈɪts nˈoʊ ˌɪmpəzˈɪʃən ‖/
fixed phrase
it’s no trouble for me
You say this to mean “I don’t mind doing it.”
Examples
- “Thanks for picking me up.” “It’s no imposition—happy to help.”
- If you need a place to stay, it’s no imposition.
- Please ask if you’re stuck; it’s no imposition at all.