enforce [en-fawrs , -fohrs ]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for enforce on Thesaurus.com verb (used with object), en·forced, en·forc·ing. to put or keep in force; compel obedience to: to enforce a rule; Traffic laws will be strictly enforced. 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. to impress or urge (an argument, contention, etc.) forcibly; lay stress upon: He enforced his argument by adding details. Show More
Origin of enforce 1275–1325; Middle English enforcen <
Anglo-French enforcer, Old French enforcier, enforc(ir ), equivalent to
en- en-1 +
forci(e)r to
force Related forms en·force·a·ble , adjective en·force·a·bil·i·ty , noun en·forc·ed·ly [en-fawr -sid-lee, -fohr -] /ɛnˈfɔr sɪd li, -ˈfoʊr-/ 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), pre·en·forced, pre·en·forc·ing. 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 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for enforce prosecute ,
accomplish ,
invoke ,
require ,
impose ,
administer ,
reinforce ,
sanction ,
apply ,
implement ,
exert ,
wrest ,
commandeer ,
necessitate ,
coerce ,
fortify ,
expect ,
dictate ,
hound ,
whip Examples from the Web for enforce Contemporary Examples of enforce Obviously, the first obligation of all liberal democratic governments is to enforce the rule of law.
At any rate, policy can enforce equal rights and foster equal opportunity.
“Given the number of events which take place across the UK it is likely to be difficult to enforce ,” said Rupert Sutton.
People often forget that the National Panhellenic council used to enforce racial segregation by means of strict codes and laws.
So the CIW has looked to the marketplace to enforce these guarantees.
Historical Examples of enforce I have been selected by you to execute and enforce the laws of the country.
Accordingly orders were given to enforce the Navigation Act.
This is the proposition which I intended to enforce in the present section.
All that has been said, then, tends to enforce the culture of the imagination.
They might enforce on them a total abolition of inheritance and bequest.'
British Dictionary definitions for enforce to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc) to impose (obedience, loyalty, etc) by or as by force to emphasize or reinforce (an argument, demand, etc) Show More
Derived Forms enforceable , adjective enforceability , noun enforcedly (ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ ), adverb enforcement , noun enforcer , noun Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for enforce v. early 14c., "to drive by physical force;" mid-14c., "make an effort; strengthen a place; compel," from Old French enforcier or from en- (1) "make, put in" + force . Related: Enforced ; enforcing .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
