Synonyms

enact

American

[en-akt] / ɛnˈækt /

verb (used with object)

to make into an act or statute.

Congress has enacted a new tax law.
to represent on or as on the stage; act the part of.

to enact Hamlet.

enact British

/ ɪnˈækt /

verb

to make into an act or statute
to establish by law; ordain or decree
to represent or perform in or as if in a play; to act out

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of enact

First recorded in 1375–1425, enact is from the late Middle English word enacten. See en- ¹, act

Explanation

You often hear that Congress is going to enact a new statute, which means that they will make it into a law. But enact also means to perform, like in a play. (Makes you wonder if the lawmakers are actors!) Inside the word enact is that little word act, meaning “to do.” That makes sense, because when you enact something, you make it happen. And of course, we know that to act also means to perform, and so enact means “to act out,” like on stage. Now that the new rules have been enacted, you'll have to stop wearing your gorilla suit to work. Even after Labor Day.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing enact

The Mayflower Compact (1620)

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Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire

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Just Do It: Act

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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.

See Examples For:

enact enacts enacted enacting

A medical student pressed him on how one senator could actually enact the sweeping things he was promising.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

According to the indictment, the state Constitution provides “a means for citizens to bypass the state legislature and enact statutes and constitutional amendments directly through the initiative process.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

But it faced criticism within its own ranks for being slow to enact it.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

Morgan Stanley’s Erik Woodring speculated in a July note that Apple could enact a $200 price increase across the entire iPhone 18 lineup.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 7, 2026

That was the only way to enact her plan to get into the family vault.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

She threatened to sue the city if it enacts additional restrictions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

It enacts investor protections through disclosure and custody rules.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

The Taoiseach said he had waited until now because he wanted the Finance Bill, which enacts the Budget changes and contains new tax provisions, to be passed.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2024

With McConnell’s support, legal hemp was added to the massive agriculture law, or “farm bill,” that Congress usually enacts every five years.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2024

In a separate act, the Continental Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance, which outlaws slavery in the territories north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

How a ban would be enacted remains to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The new law contains a provision which would allow Police Scotland to continue misconduct proceedings against officers who resign or retire but that part of the legislation has not yet been enacted.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

It passed civil rights acts that guaranteed birthright citizenship and enacted Reconstruction Acts that secured black suffrage in the South.

From Slate ● Sep. 16, 2026

It would do so in foreign courts, too, as at least 90 countries have enacted “universal jurisdiction” over genocide allegedly committed abroad by foreigners against foreigners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Thirty-six states enacted laws that gave victims specific rights to participate in the trial process or to make victim impact statements.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

District Court Judge Indira Talwani, a federal judge in Massachusetts, who will decide in the coming days whether to issue a permanent ban on enacting the system for this election.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026

But the spokesperson stressed Kosovo would focus on enacting its deal with Denmark "before entering into any new agreement of a similar nature".

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Voters have launched a ballot campaign to repeal the tax and bar the state and localities from enacting income taxes in the future.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

Strong majorities of Californians believe democracy is under attack and support enacting a new state Voting Rights Act to prohibit discrimination and efforts to suppress voting, a poll showed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

After riding Sunshine, a group of us played at Civil War games, enacting the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, skirmishing with wooden swords and firing log cannons.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023