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

Foster, who has starred in “3:10 to Yuma,” “Six Feet Under” and the Disney Channel series “Flash Forward,” asked the court to enforce a 2018 prenuptial agreement that called for an “equitable division” of their marital assets and debts and the incorporation of their “marital dissolution agreement and agreed parenting plan” into their final divorce decree.

From Los Angeles Times

The California Phone-Free Schools Act ordered the state’s 1,000 school districts, charter schools and county education offices to draft student cellphone policies by July 1, 2026 — and leaves it up to schools to decide whether to enforce outright bans or some level of restrictions to “support pupil learning and well-being.”

From Los Angeles Times

The district has directed schools to enforce the ban beginning Feb. 18, the day after Presidents Day weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

"What South Africa do and we have always believed is that the scrum is an area where you can enforce yourself," 2007 World Cup winner BJ Botha told BBC Sport.

From BBC

Once you believe that your group is inherently socially superior to a designed “out group,” and that they have the right to enforce this superiority through force, that belief warps and distorts the rest of your character.

From Salon

Related Words

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