DEFINITIONS
The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...

enforce

[ en-fawrs, -fohrs ]
/ ɛnˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs /
SEE 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.

Words related to enforce

prosecute, accomplish, invoke, require, impose, administer, reinforce, sanction, apply, implement, exert, wrest, commandeer, necessitate, coerce, fortify, expect, dictate, hound, whip

Words nearby enforce

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

OTHER WORDS FROM enforce

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for enforce

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 of enforce

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