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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
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 High in the Central Coast Mountains of British Columbia, the shadowy contours of more imposing peaks rise behind her. John Briley, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate in January, underscoring the hurdles in imposing restrictions on a separate branch of government even as public confidence in the court has fallen to record lows. Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024 Missouri Senator Josh Hawley accused them of imposing higher fees on small businesses than large corporations. Emma Withrow, Baltimore Sun, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for imposing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing
Adjective
  • Michel Koopman is the CEO & Founder at CxO Coaching, with a distinguished career as a senior operator and entrepreneur.
    Michel Koopman, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Nestled along the storied banks of the River Thames, 15 Cheyne Walk stands as one of Chelsea’s most distinguished homes, a residence steeped in history, grandeur, and a 300-year-old legacy.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All of the magnificent seven tech stocks are down today on the tariffs news.
    Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Adebayo was stupendous early; Herro was magnificent in the second half.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The noble profile of a solemn, aging Great Dane named Apollo dominates Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s The Friend, a movie nominally about the difficulties of caring for a pet in New York City.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Then, with his hopes of starting the season in the major leagues officially dashed, Hinch and his family began the solemn drive from Philly to the team’s Triple-A site in Scranton, Pa.
    Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Frick Collection celebrated its reopening Monday night with a black tie gala befitting its glorious surroundings.
    Bettina Zilkha, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • From a glorious span that included winning the 2013 MLS Cup and eight straight postseason appearances, Peter Vermes’ Sporting KC club hadn’t finished higher than eighth in the league standings since 2021.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But charging for service remains farther down the road.
    Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Yank Technologies is developing long-range high-power wireless charging technology that has applications across a range of use cases and sectors, from manufacturing cargo bikes to the military.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Far from looking majestic like the riverboat or an oasis of nature like Tom Sawyer Island, the video showed a ride vehicle resembling an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) racing around a dusty dirt track.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • So tell your friends to transform their bedsheets into truly majestic togas.
    Maggie Griswold, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Friday, Trump also sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to attend the dignified transfer of four American soldiers who died during a training exercise in Lithuania last week at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
    Ian Swanson, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Karl Johnson makes an excellent Firs, the ancient servant who regrets the freeing of the serfs and who alternates between dignified paeans to the old days and mumbling streams of profanities.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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