Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

enforce

[en-fawrs, -fohrs]
See more synonyms for enforce on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), en·forced, en·forc·ing.
  1. to put or keep in force; compel obedience to: to enforce a rule; Traffic laws will be strictly enforced.
  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.
Show More

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 for enforce

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. administer, impose, execute, apply.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for enforced

prescribed, required, sanctioned, imposed, ordained, established, executed, kept, constrained, charged, exacted, demanded, invoked, compelled, advocated, dictated, prevalent

Examples from the Web for enforced

Contemporary Examples of enforced

Historical Examples of enforced

  • However, in this enforced silence she thought only of him; he was always in her mind.

    The Dream

    Emile Zola

  • Certain aspects of enforced Germanization can but afflict all outsiders.

    In the Heart of Vosges

    Matilda Betham-Edwards

  • Now, thought I, shall I have the subject of next Tuesday enforced upon me.

    Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • They enforced their live strength with the power of dead things.

    White Fang

    Jack London

  • This moment of enforced inactivity was a very difficult one for him.

    A Spirit in Prison

    Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for enforced

enforce

verb (tr)
  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)
Show More
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 enforced

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper