enact

[ en-akt ]

/ ɛnˈækt /

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See synonyms for: enact / enacted / enacting on Thesaurus.com

Definition of enact

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.

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SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

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Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of enact

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

OTHER WORDS FROM enact

en·act·a·ble, adjectiveen·ac·tor, nounpre·en·act, verb (used with object)re·en·act, verb (used with object)

un·en·act·ed, adjectivewell-en·act·ed, adjective

Words nearby enact

enable, enabled, enabler, enabling, enabling act, enact, enactive, enactment, enactory, enalapril, enalapril maleate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use enact in a sentence

Nearly 100 have been enacted, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The first state to pass a law protecting police accused of misconduct may also be the first to repeal it.|Ovetta Wiggins|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
There are several options we can explore to increase the homeownership rate and reduce racial and generational inequality, from loosening credit standards to enacting zoning reform and expanding financial education.
Covid-19 caused a recession. So why did the housing market boom?|Jerusalem Demsas|February 5, 2021|Vox
Lawmakers were forced to reckon with enacting unpopular tax increases or even less popular cuts to government programs.
Sports gambling could be the pandemic’s biggest winner|Jonathan D. Cohen|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Arguably the most famous — and most maligned and misunderstood — media policy ever enacted in the United States, its long, strange history is generally not well known.
The Fairness Doctrine won’t solve our problems — but it can foster needed debate|Victor Pickard|February 4, 2021|Washington Post

He continues to email everyone he can think of to enact such a policy, but he is relieved, at least, that he can use the internet to access his health provider’s web portal.
Getting vaccinated is hard. It’s even harder without the internet.|Eileen Guo|February 3, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Only school administrators have the power to enact censorship, after all.
Feminism Has Gone Too Far|Lizzie Crocker|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In other words, companies will still be allowed to enact their drug-testing policies.
Can Congress Get Stoned Now That D.C. Has Legalized Marijuana?|Abby Haglage|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And they did so with a clear policy agenda, advocating for the needs of an affected community and trying to enact change.
Amid Unrest, Afghan Women Push For Role in Peace Process|Molly Raskin|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rather, she aspires to enact positive social change through tech.
Silicon Valley’s Soft Sex Ban|Joshua Rivera|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We even tried to enact campaign finance reform by executive agency action.
How Obama Can Use Executive Actions to Improve Our Democracy|Michael Waldman|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For how could one legislative body command what another legislative body should enact?
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson
I yearn for one now, but will not endeavour to procure one, I wish to be a father, yet refuse to be a husband or enact his part.'
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
The next afternoon he began to enact the subtle plans he had formed regarding Kathlyn.
The Adventures of Kathlyn|Harold MacGrath
I move that Congress be urged to enact a law adopting that phrase as the only legal form of proposal.
The Gentle Art of Cooking Wives|Elizabeth Strong Worthington
His government felt strong enough to enact new measures for the restriction of the liberty of the press.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year|Edwin Emerson

British Dictionary definitions for enact

enact

/ (ɪnˈækt) /

verb (tr)

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

Derived forms of enact

enactable, adjectiveenactive or enactory, adjectiveenactment or enaction, nounenactor, noun

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

enact

Definition of enact

Origin of enact

OTHER WORDS FROM enact

Words nearby enact

Words related to enact

How to use enact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for enact

Derived forms of enact