enforce
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to put or keep in force; compel obedience to.
to enforce a rule; Traffic laws will be strictly enforced.
- Synonyms:
- apply, execute, impose, administer
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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.
verb
-
to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc)
-
to impose (obedience, loyalty, etc) by or as by force
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to emphasize or reinforce (an argument, demand, etc)
Other Word Forms
- enforceability noun
- enforceable adjective
- enforcedly adverb
- enforcement noun
- enforcer noun
- enforcive adjective
- half-enforced adjective
- nonenforceable adjective
- nonenforced adjective
- nonenforcedly adverb
- nonenforcing adjective
- preenforce verb (used with object)
- quasi-enforced adjective
- unenforceability noun
- unenforceable adjective
- unenforced adjective
- unenforcedly adverb
- well-enforced adjective
Etymology
Origin of enforce
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English enforcen, from Anglo-French enforcer, Old French enforcier, enforc(ir), from en- en- 1 + forci(e)r “to compel, strengthen” ( force )
Explanation
To enforce means to make sure the laws and rules are being followed. So those guys wearing striped outfits and whistles? They're in charge of enforcing the rules of the game. See the word force inside of enforce? It can help you remember that enforce is all about forcing others to follow the rules. The traffic police enforce the driving laws by handing out speeding tickets. Your parents hopefully enforce good behavior by grounding you when you stay out too late. It would be wonderful if everyone just followed the rules on their own, but it seems the temptation to be bad is just too strong. So thank goodness for all the enforcers that keep us in line.
Vocabulary lists containing enforce
Stay Strong: Forc and Fort
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13th Amendment (1865)
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19th Amendment (1920)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Marvin, which ruled that unmarried partners could sue each other to enforce alleged promises or agreements made during their nonmarital relationship.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026
A new curriculum designed to enforce textbook-based learning is due in 2028.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
But a blockade could be tough to enforce, wrote Helima Croft, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets analyst, in a note on Sunday.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
In effect, the free flow of goods on the open seas hinged on global adherence to rules the U.S. helped write, but lacked the capacity to enforce.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
The government went to insane lengths to try to enforce these new laws.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
