enforce

American  

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

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 British  

/ 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
• 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” ( see 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.

Example Sentences

The county is still considering how to enforce such a moratorium, and what that would cost.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

But the often-overlapping technologies for commercial and military purposes create a grey zone that is difficult to enforce -- especially across borders.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

The geopolitical bottleneck has a clearance condition: a stable, predictable export framework that both the executive branch and Congress are willing to enforce consistently.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

Three of the companies agreed to limit production lines of standard dry containers, install surveillance cameras to enforce the limits, and to not build any new manufacturing facilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

“I don’t make the rules, ma’am, I just enforce ’em.”

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Related Words

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