enforce
Americanverb (used with object)
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to put or keep in force; compel obedience to.
to enforce a rule; Traffic laws will be strictly enforced.
- Synonyms:
- apply, execute, impose, administer
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to obtain (payment, obedience, etc.) by force or compulsion.
-
to impose (a course of action) upon a person.
The doctor enforced a strict dietary regimen.
-
to support (a demand, claim, etc.) by force.
to enforce one's rights as a citizen.
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to impress or urge (an argument, contention, etc.) forcibly; lay stress upon.
He enforced his argument by adding details.
verb
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to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc)
-
to impose (obedience, loyalty, etc) by or as by force
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to emphasize or reinforce (an argument, demand, etc)
Other Word Forms
- enforceability noun
- enforceable adjective
- enforcedly adverb
- enforcement noun
- enforcer noun
- enforcive adjective
- half-enforced adjective
- nonenforceable adjective
- nonenforced adjective
- nonenforcedly adverb
- nonenforcing adjective
- preenforce verb (used with object)
- quasi-enforced adjective
- unenforceability noun
- unenforceable adjective
- unenforced adjective
- unenforcedly adverb
- well-enforced adjective
Etymology
Origin of enforce
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike the enforced calmness and walking pace associated with fire drills, we were encouraged to run, not walk, to our designated fallout area—all the while covering our faces to protect from flying glass.
By Jan. 15, it filed its suit in court, looking to enforce the request for records.
From Los Angeles Times
District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington issued an injunction barring the administration from implementing or enforcing the president’s May 2025 order.
A Beijing court had ruled the documents were stolen and ordered their return, but the U.S. judge declined to enforce that judgment.
“Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters,” the order reads.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
