enforce

[ en-fawrs, -fohrs ]

See synonyms for: enforce enforced enforces enforcing 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

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)

Other words for enforce

1	administer, impose, execute, apply

See synonyms for enforce on Thesaurus.com

Other words from enforce

en·force·a·ble, adjective
en·force·a·bil·i·ty, noun
en·forc·ed·ly [en-fawr-sid-lee, -fohr-], /ɛnˈfɔr sɪd li, -ˈfoʊr-/, adverb
en·forc·er, noun
en·forc·ive, adjective
half-en·forced, adjective
non·en·force·a·ble, adjective
non·en·forced, adjective
non·en·for·ced·ly, adverb
non·en·forc·ing, adjective
pre·en·force, verb (used with object), pre·en·forced, pre·en·forc·ing.
qua·si-en·forced, adjective
un·en·force·a·bil·i·ty, noun
un·en·force·a·ble, adjective
un·en·forced, adjective
un·en·forc·ed·ly, adverb
well-en·forced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use enforce in a sentence

She had previously recommended wearing masks but resisted making it a mandate, calling it a “feel-good” measure that wasn’t being enforced in other states.
When states mandate masks, fewer people catch COVID-19 | | November 20, 2020 | Popular-Science
Sheriff Bill Gore said deputies will also begin enforcing health orders in cities such as El Cajon, where cases have spiked but police enforcement has not.
Morning Report: Turning Border Sewage Into Local Water | Voice of San Diego | November 20, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
Meanwhile, the government agencies charged with enforcing child labor laws don’t look for violations, though some officials say they aren’t surprised to hear it’s happening.
Inside the Lives of Immigrant Teens Working Dangerous Night Shifts in Suburban Factories | by Melissa Sanchez | November 19, 2020 | ProPublica
Many local law enforcement agencies told NBC San Diego they’ll help enforce restrictions but plan to focus on education and compliance.
Morning Report: Water Districts Wary of San Diego’s Pipeline Plan | Voice of San Diego | November 17, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
County officials requested that police and sheriffs step up efforts to enforce the rules.
Morning Report: Purple Haze | Voice of San Diego | November 11, 2020 | Voice of San Diego

Thankfully, the female lawyers told them to go jump in a lake, so the law was not enforceable.
Don’t Tread On My Hair, Hamas | Maysoon Zayid | April 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Today the court reaffirmed the traditional view that there must be a judicially-enforceable limit on the powers of Congress.
Is the Supreme Court’s Health-Care Ruling a Turning Point in Constitutional Law? | Randy Barnett | June 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The directive issued this month is more of a strong recommendation than an enforceable rule.
Intelligence Community Aims to Get Tough on Leaks | Eli Lake | June 21, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
A postnup can be a good way to arrange an enforceable system that helps arbitrate disagreements.
Postnups Becoming More Popular, but They’re Not for Everyone | Jacoba Urist | May 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Critically, there is no enforceable international air-safety regime.
2010's Unsafe Skies | Clive Irving | December 30, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
And any contract of insurance made by him under its terms is valid and enforceable.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
An unjust law was no more enforceable in those centuries than it is in the twentieth century.
All About Coffee | William H. Ukers
An ideal policy, but hardly enforceable with a man of Adams' temperament and with the Cabinet he had inherited.
Thomas Jefferson | Gilbert Chinard
What parliament makes law is law, but is not therefore enforceable.
The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3) | Leslie Stephen
Its award, however, is not enforceable at law, but is merely in the nature of friendly advice.
The Long White Cloud | William Pember Reeves

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

enforceable, adjective
enforceability, noun
enforcedly (ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ), adverb
enforcement, noun
enforcer, 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

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