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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

Examples 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
Utah has one of the most imposing front sevens in the country, and Baylor continued to play smashmouth football and dominate at the line of scrimmage. Michael Haag, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2023 Perhaps the most imposing structure in the old town is the largest brick church in the world, the Basilica of St. Mary. Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2023
Verb
Looming over her presidency is the imposing figure of López Obrador, 70, who has vowed to retreat to his family ranch in southern Chiapas state and stay out of the political fray that has consumed his adult life. Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 Best Hotels & Resorts Marbella Club A glamorous beachfront icon backed by the imposing La Concha Mountain on the southern coast of Spain, Marbella Club has been welcoming travelers since 1954. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imposing 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing
Adjective
  • Rabinovich, a distinguished Israeli historian of the modern Middle… The War for Lebanon, 1970-1983 This is partly a history of Lebanon's breakdown and civil war, partly a study of why and how Israel went to war in 1982.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
  • For his distinguished service, Sumter awarded Ali land.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But Branagh, Ashford, and Skilbeck offer no consistent access to the play’s magnificent existential darkness.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
  • That is due, in large part, to people dying and coming back, and so there’s a soap opera quality to it that can be magnificent.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The announcement was made earlier this month at a solemn ceremony at Department headquarters in Brooklyn to honor the lives lost.
    Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024
  • Their presence is solemn and, at the same time, festive, an echo of past times that rings with each step.
    Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • As the boy who gets his wish to be big, Hanks gives a glorious, hilarious, and sweet performance as a 12-year-old in a grown-up’s body.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Observe the treasured buzz of Italians socializing: dancers in traditional costumes at community celebrations; families regularly gathering to share platters of food on long tables; youthful flirting of sunbathers together under glorious skies.
    Laura Manske, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Tesla’s ambitious plans also include developing a new version of the 4680 cell using silicon carbon anodes, a material known to improve energy density, battery range, and charging speed.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Wireless charging works perfectly through the case.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • They’re totally fictionalized and, in their own way, the intrusive projections of what Morgan might’ve thought happened between the two, but what he’s imagined is decorous and dramatically unsatisfying.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 July 2024
  • At the time, this decorous attire was standard at bowling alleys, where women often wore dresses or skirts.
    Gabe Bullard, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2024
Adjective
  • Set in the majestic French Pyrenees, the film addresses the battle between heritage and modernity as the reintroduction of brown bears collides head first with a traditional shepherding community.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Instead of snowfall and frigid temperatures, guests are treated to majestic beaches and warm ocean breezes.
    Robin Raven, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Frank/Tim partnership is often turbulent, but here that tension is put to great use as Braugher and Secor switch up good-cop, bad-cop duties and Gunn alternates between dignified and sneering.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024
  • Harris’s campaign is pushing forward a vision of a refined and dignified America, but one that will ultimately depend on the election’s outcome.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near imposing

Cite this Entry

“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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