enforce

[ en-fawrs, -fohrs ]

verb (used with object)

, en·forced, en·forc·ing.

1. to put or keep in force; compel obedience to:

   to enforce a rule; Traffic laws will be strictly enforced.

   Synonyms: apply, execute, impose, administer

2. to obtain (payment, obedience, etc.) by force or compulsion.
3. to impose (a course of action) upon a person:

   The doctor enforced a strict dietary regimen.

4. to support (a demand, claim, etc.) by force:

   to enforce one's rights as a citizen.

5. to impress or urge (an argument, contention, etc.) forcibly; lay stress upon:

   He enforced his argument by adding details.

enforce

/ ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ; ɪnˈfɔːs /

verb

1. to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc)
2. to impose (obedience, loyalty, etc) by or as by force
3. to emphasize or reinforce (an argument, demand, etc)

Derived Forms

• enˌforceaˈbility, noun
• enˈforcer, noun
• enˈforcement, noun
• enforcedly, adverb
• enˈforceable, adjective

Other Words From

• en·forcea·ble adjective
• en·forcea·bili·ty noun
• en·forc·ed·ly [en-, fawr, -sid-lee, -, fohr, -], adverb
• en·forcer noun
• en·forcive adjective
• half-en·forced adjective
• nonen·forcea·ble adjective
• nonen·forced adjective
• nonen·forced·ly adverb
• nonen·forcing adjective
• preen·force verb (used with object) preenforced preenforcing
• quasi-en·forced adjective
• unen·forcea·bili·ty noun
• unen·forcea·ble adjective
• unen·forced adjective
• unen·forced·ly adverb
• well-en·forced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enforce¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English enforcen, from Anglo-French enforcer, Old French enforcier, enforc(ir), from en- en- ¹ + forci(e)r “to compel, strengthen” ( force )

Example Sentences

Obviously, the first obligation of all liberal democratic governments is to enforce the rule of law.

From The Daily Beast

At any rate, policy can enforce equal rights and foster equal opportunity.

From The Daily Beast

“Given the number of events which take place across the UK it is likely to be difficult to enforce,” said Rupert Sutton.

From The Daily Beast

People often forget that the National Panhellenic council used to enforce racial segregation by means of strict codes and laws.

From The Daily Beast

So the CIW has looked to the marketplace to enforce these guarantees.

From The Daily Beast

Consequently the Chinese (or Ming) emperor sent a large army to enforce his demand for the amount of money due him.

From Project Gutenberg

Or at least he would merely have expressed his wish that I should take the name, without going so far as to enforce it.

From Project Gutenberg

The old dog stuck to her like a burr, and she had not the heart to take up a stick to enforce obedience.

From Project Gutenberg

His duties were to enforce the continental system and to keep a stern eye on Prussia.

From Project Gutenberg

If he can get anything, he cannot claim it under his contract for he has broken it and therefore a court could not enforce it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accomplish
• administer
• apply
• carry out
• implement
• impose
• invoke
• prosecute
• reinforce
• require
• sanction