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imposing

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verb

present participle of impose

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective imposing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of imposing are grandiose, grand, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When would grand be a good substitute for imposing?

In some situations, the words grand and imposing are roughly equivalent. However, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is it sensible to use grandiose instead of imposing?

Although the words grandiose and imposing have much in common, grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience, but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose hydroelectric projects
grandiose schemes

When can magnificent be used instead of imposing?

The meanings of magnificent and imposing largely overlap; however, magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How does the word majestic relate to other synonyms for imposing?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

When could stately be used to replace imposing?

While the synonyms stately and imposing are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of imposing
Adjective
The Foundling certainly sounds like a more imposing leader in the long term than the country’s autocrat-of-the-day, right? Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2024 Chris Davis For a few seasons, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was one of the more imposing hitters in the American League. Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Head to Mill Creek Lake to kayak or fish for bass, bluegill, crappie, and trout in a sunny spot that’s surrounded by imposing cliffs and a dense forest. Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025 These innovations enable companies to balance cost savings with employee experience, rather than imposing rigid RTO mandates that drive attrition. Solange Charas, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imposing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing
Adjective
  • The organizers of the 2024 Games in Paris allowed some of that city’s most distinguished landmarks to be utilized as part of the spectacle.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 July 2025
  • In June, Adam Sadovsky, with nearly 18 years of experience at Google, most recently as a distinguished software engineer and senior director at DeepMind, decamped to Microsoft.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Scottie Scheffler romped to a magnificent four-shot victory to seal his first British Open title at Royal Portrush on Sunday, notching his fourth major success.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
  • The mansion’s marble stair hall focuses on a magnificent clock, designed by White and Saint-Gaudens, built into a wall and surrounded by the figures of the zodiac.
    Henry Wiencek July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Common observances on Good Friday Good Friday is one of the most solemn days in the Christian calendar, observed by millions worldwide during the Easter season.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • The moment was filled with conflicting emotions, a mix of gratitude and solemn reflection.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath is a glorious English city that seduces with its honeyed townhouses, stately colonnaded crescents, swish spas, and timeless Roman relics.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Season 5 was — to put it mildly — a glorious train wreck.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Riders always have access to the entire phone screen and the charging port or audio jack.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Which California county has most EV charging ports?
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
  • More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.
    Rebecca Solnit August 23, Literary Hub, 23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • The present is the grand and majestic age of mechanical invention.
    Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
  • Having always been drawn to the majestic appearance of black cats, her path to cat parenthood was somewhat unexpected.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Everyone deserves a safe and dignified birth, not only for the birthing people but also for the providers.
    Christina Montoya Fiedler, Parents, 22 July 2025
  • Without Medicaid, many disabled Americans literally could not even get out of bed, let alone find employment and live full, dignified lives.
    Josh Turek, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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