enforce

[en-fawrs, -fohrs]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enforce 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

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 enforce ON THESAURUS.COM

1. administer, impose, execute, apply.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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

It has argued that it would lose $100,000 in business if the regulations are enforced.
Things Are Going Downhill Fast for Uber
Kyle Chayka
December 11, 2014
In an era of enforced celebration, individuals lose control over who they can let party on their property.
Gay Marriage Vs. the First Amendment
James Poulos
August 22, 2014
Rather, there are nebulous decrees that can potentially be enforced by the Thai authorities.
The Wild, Wild West of Thai Surrogacy
Emily Shire
August 7, 2014
History does not record whether it was enforced, though Indians and NOPD kept on clashing.
Mardi Gras Indian Chief Larry Bannock’s Final Ride
Jason Berry
May 16, 2014
Patents, may I remind you, expire after 20 years, but copyrights to recordings can be enforced for a century or more.
Apple Wants Beats So It Can Control You
Ted Gioia
May 12, 2014

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)

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 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

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.