1
as in distinguished
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner
the president of the bank is exactly the sort of imposing figure that one might expect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
the corporation's imposing headquarters were designed by one of the nation's cutting-edge architects
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in levying
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
that state now imposes a fine for text messaging while driving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imposing
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Ali Swenson, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
The bill bars local governments from imposing several common zoning restrictions on the construction of ADUs — like requiring homeowners to live on the property or to increase parking space on their land.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imposing
Adjective
Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Verb
Last year Republicans passed legislation to reduce spending on federal health programs and food assistance, largely by imposing work requirements on people receiving aid and by shifting certain costs onto the states.
—Ali Swenson, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
The bill bars local governments from imposing several common zoning restrictions on the construction of ADUs — like requiring homeowners to live on the property or to increase parking space on their land.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imposing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing
Adjective
-
Folks rolled into the Mercury Theater, then under the management of Michael Cullen, who conveniently owned the Irish pub next door, replete with a distinguished meatloaf.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers (13 points) The Steelers summoned the 62-year-old Pittsburgh native after his one-year sabbatical, and McCarthy will continue his distinguished coaching tour after leading the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys earlier in his career.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump is in a position to add something magnificent to his legacy.—
Robert Yaro,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For some, romance means rose petals, chilled champagne and magnificent views.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As well as prohibiting establishments from refusing to accept cash, the bill prevents businesses from levying additional fees or surcharges on cash payments compared to cashless transactions.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Nov. 2025
-
Voters could face a decision to approve levying a 1% sales tax on unincorporated areas of Yolo County or a countywide 1% sales tax.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
19 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Although there will be a couple of weeks of sports competitions to come, none are possible without an opening ceremony, a combination of solemn official protocol with a fantastic representation of the host country’s culture and character, evoking the Olympic spirit itself.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The show looks glamorous — custom design, lush staging, a format that nods to late-night talk shows rather than solemn panels.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s not something her human brain, for all its glorious complexity, could do on its own by studying the RNA data.—
Amber Dance,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Without a captain on the bridge, this glorious ship could sink into the springtime again.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Scheyer and other Duke officials immediately sprang to the Blue Devils’ defense, trying to create a barrier against charging fans.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, charging takes about 75 minutes using a 240-volt outlet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Lee Martino’s choreography, like the production as a whole, is at its best when observing decorous constraints.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Her mochi skins are bouncy and soft, with a chewy texture so majestic that the stretchability rivals the most dramatic of cheese pulls.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The spa offerings aren’t extensive, but the indoor/outdoor massage cabanas are wonderful and face the majestic mountains at the back of the resort.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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