imposition

noun

im·​po·​si·​tion ˌim-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce imposition (audio)
Synonyms of imposition
1
: something imposed: such as
a
: an excessive or uncalled-for requirement or burden
b
: levy, tax
2
: the act of imposing
the imposition of a tariff
You can stay with me. It's not an imposition.
3
: deception
4
: the order of arrangement of imposed pages

Synonyms of imposition

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of imposition in a Sentence

Your kids can stay with me the night you're away—it's really not an imposition. the imposition of a life sentence on the defendant the imposition of a tax on liquor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Silicon Valley companies have complained about the ad-hoc nature of recent US moves to rein in new models, including its brief imposition of export controls on Anthropic that led it to temporarily disable its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 products. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Then we will be prepared, no matter how temptations may come, not to get inflamed by impositions, insults, and offenses that speak to the opposite belief in some other presence or power. — Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026 The case is one of seven trials facing the former conservative president, who was impeached last year following a brief imposition of martial law in December 2024 that triggered South Korea’s biggest political crisis in decades. — ABC News, 13 July 2026 Add the imposition of new policies and instructional procedures, and a teacher can find that resource tapped at unsustainable levels. — Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for imposition

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imposition was in the 14th century

Rhymes for imposition

See All Rhymes for imposition

Browse Nearby Words

imposing stone
imposition
impositor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imposition. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

imposition

noun
im·​po·​si·​tion ˌim-pə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce imposition (audio)
1
: the act of imposing
2
a
: something (as a tax) that is imposed
b
: a demand or request that is very troublesome

More from Merriam-Webster on imposition

Nglish: Translation of imposition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imposition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All