enforce

[en-fawrs, -fohrs]

verb (used with object)

enforced, enforcing 

1. to put or keep in force; compel obedience to.

   to enforce a rule; Traffic laws will be strictly enforced.

   Synonyms: apply, execute, impose, administer

2. to obtain (payment, obedience, etc.) by force or compulsion.

3. to impose (a course of action) upon a person.

   The doctor enforced a strict dietary regimen.

4. to support (a demand, claim, etc.) by force.

   to enforce one's rights as a citizen.

5. to impress or urge (an argument, contention, etc.) forcibly; lay stress upon.

   He enforced his argument by adding details.

enforce

/ ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ, ɪnˈfɔːs /

verb

1. to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc)

2. to impose (obedience, loyalty, etc) by or as by force

3. to emphasize or reinforce (an argument, demand, etc)

Other Word Forms

• enforceability noun
• enforcer noun
• enforcement noun
• enforcedly adverb
• enforceable adjective
• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of enforce¹

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 )

Example Sentences

Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of permitting the Pakistan Taliban to operate from their land and fight against the Islamabad government in an attempt to enforce a strict Islamic-led system of governance.

Read more on BBC

Our most antidemocratic institution seems determined on creating and enforcing antidemocratic results, while denying that it is an activist, political institution.

Read more on Salon

“The Rada’a force is determined to enforce order and uproot gangs and militias, and will strike with an iron fist anyone who tampers with the security of the home front,” the group said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He said such a ban should not be enforced unless there was "evidence of imminent violence".

Read more on BBC

The antibribery law is routinely enforced by the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accomplish 
• administer 
• apply 
• carry out 
• implement 
• impose 
• invoke 
• prosecute 
• reinforce 
• require 
• sanction