enforce

[ en-fawrs, -fohrs ]

/ ɛnˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs /

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.

Nearby words

enfin, enflame, enfleurage, enflurane, enfold, enforce, enforcement, enforcer, enfranchise, eng, eng.

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

SYNONYMS FOR enforce

1 administer, impose, execute, apply.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enforce ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

en·force·a·ble, adjectiveen·force·a·bil·i·ty, nounen·forc·ed·ly

[en-fawr-sid-lee, -fohr-] /ɛnˈfɔr sɪd li, -ˈfoʊr-/, adverben·forc·er, noun

en·forc·ive, adjectivehalf-en·forced, adjectivenon·en·force·a·ble, adjectivenon·en·forced, adjectivenon·en·for·ced·ly, adverbnon·en·forc·ing, adjectivepre·en·force, verb (used with object), pre·en·forced, pre·en·forc·ing.qua·si-en·forced, adjectiveun·en·force·a·bil·i·ty, nounun·en·force·a·ble, adjectiveun·en·forced, adjectiveun·en·forc·ed·ly, adverbwell-en·forced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enforce

Obviously, the first obligation of all liberal democratic governments is to enforce the rule of law.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At any rate, policy can enforce equal rights and foster equal opportunity.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Given the number of events which take place across the UK it is likely to be difficult to enforce,” said Rupert Sutton.
To Stop ISIS, Britain Is Set to Stop Free Speech|Nico Hines|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People often forget that the National Panhellenic council used to enforce racial segregation by means of strict codes and laws.
Stepford Sororities: The Pressures of USC’s Greek Life|Maya Richard Craven|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So the CIW has looked to the marketplace to enforce these guarantees.
We're All Living on The Supermarket Plantation|Lewis Beale|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had a claim on him for support, and there was usually some way to enforce the claim.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 12 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
To enforce obedience, the most harsh and unjust means were employed, which could not but embitter the people.
Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)|Moritz Karasowski
You have, in your remarkable book, made this fact perfectly clear, and you will enforce this great truth on the platform.
Bidwell's Travels, from Wall Street to London Prison|Austin Biron Bidwell
There was no separate executive power to enforce, and no judiciary to interpret the laws.
Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition|J.A. James
This decision illustrates at once the value of the right and the value of the means to enforce the right.
Twentieth Century Socialism|Edmond Kelly

British Dictionary definitions for enforce

enforce

/ (ɪnˈfɔːs) /

verb (tr)

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)

Derived Forms

enforceable, adjectiveenforceability, nounenforcedly (ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ), adverbenforcement, noun

enforcer, 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