impose
gb/ɪmpˈoʊz/ us/ɪmpˈoʊz/
B1
Anglais
~ 1600
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B1
action
1
Force acceptance of something
To make someone accept or follow a rule, law, or idea, even if they do not want to.
Schéma d’usage :
to impose [something] on [someone]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'impose' with 'suggest'—but 'impose' always involves authority and lack of choice.
Synonymes
enforce (Implies ensuring compliance with a rule or law through authority.)
|
dictate (Suggests giving orders that must be followed, often with authority.)
Antonymes
lift (To remove a rule, restriction, or ban that was in place.)
|
abolish (To officially end a law, practice, or system.)
Collocations
impose a ban
|impose restrictions
|impose a fine
|impose rules
|impose sanctions
Thèmes
law
|authority
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The government decided to impose strict new safety regulations.
- The school imposed a ban on mobile phones during class.
- The judge imposed a heavy fine on the company for breaking the law.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The teacher imposed new rules in the class.
- The city imposed a ban on smoking in public places.
- The police imposed a curfew at night.
Verbe
B2
action
2
Place a burden or duty
To give someone a job or problem that they did not ask for and may not want.
Schéma d’usage :
to impose [duty/responsibility] on [someone]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may overuse this sense when they mean 'ask for help'—'impose' suggests causing inconvenience.
Synonymes
burden (To load someone with responsibilities or difficulties.)
|
encumber (To make movement or progress difficult with a load or obligation.)
Antonymes
relieve (To take away a responsibility or burden from someone.)
Collocations
impose a burden
|impose duties
|impose obligations
Thèmes
daily life
|work
|responsibility
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- I don’t want to impose my problems on you.
- The new policy imposes extra work on the staff.
- They imposed the task of organizing the event on her.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I don't want to impose my work on you.
- The manager imposed extra duties on the team.
- He imposed his ideas on the group.
Verbe
B2
action
3
Overstay or overuse hospitality
To stay too long, ask for too much help, or use someone's kindness too much.
Schéma d’usage :
to impose on [someone]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this with 'visit'—'impose' suggests being a burden unintentionally.
Synonymes
intrude (To enter someone's space or time without welcome.)
|
overstay (To remain longer than is polite or acceptable.)
Antonymes
respect boundaries (To recognize and honor limits of time and hospitality.)
Collocations
impose on someone's kindness
|impose on someone's time
Thèmes
social
|relationships
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- I hope I’m not imposing by staying another night.
- She didn’t want to impose on their generosity any further.
- It’s nice of you to offer, but I don’t want to impose.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I don't want to impose on you.
- He is imposing by asking for more help.
- She felt she was imposing by staying longer.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
impose
API
GB/ɪmpˈoʊz/
US/ɪmpˈoʊz/
Syllabes et accentuation
im - pose (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pose)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: impose
- 3rd Person Singular: imposes
- Present Participle: imposing
- Past: imposed
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.