enforce

[en-fawrs, -fohrs]

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.

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 formsen·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, nounen·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

Synonyms

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1. administer, impose, execute, apply.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for enforce

Contemporary Examples

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
At any rate, policy can enforce equal rights and foster equal opportunity.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters
James Poulos
January 1, 2015
“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
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
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

Historical Examples

I have been selected by you to execute and enforce the laws of the country.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Accordingly orders were given to enforce the Navigation Act.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson
Robert Southey
This is the proposition which I intended to enforce in the present section.
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
David Hume
All that has been said, then, tends to enforce the culture of the imagination.
A Dish Of Orts
George MacDonald
They might enforce on them a total abolition of inheritance and bequest.'
Old-Fashioned Ethics and Common-Sense Metaphysics
William Thomas Thornton

British Dictionary definitions for enforce

enforce

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 Formsenforceable, adjectiveenforceability, nounenforcedly (ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ), adverbenforcement, nounenforcer, 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

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.

enforce

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}enforce

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for enforce

Contemporary Examples

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

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.'

enforce

Word Origin and History for enforce

v.

Origin of enforce