enforce

[ en-fawrs, -fohrs ]

/ ɛnˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs /

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.

Nearby words

enfin, enflame, enfleurage, enflurane, enfold, enforce, enforceable, enforcement, enforcer, enfranchise, enfranchisement

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

SYNONYMS FOR enforce

1 administer, impose, execute, apply.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enforce ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

en·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, noun

en·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

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
He utilised the opportunity of this enforced stay to visit the hospital.
From Jungle to Java|Arthur Keyser
The story adds that they were restrained by their commander, and that their enforced sobriety proved the saving of the fort.
Historic Handbook of the Northern Tour|Francis Parkman
Like the Hollanders, they became great by the very wretchedness of their site, and the vigilant industry it enforced.
Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican Vol. 1 of 2|Brantz Mayer
That Fellsgarth should have got itself into a regular mess during their enforced retirement caused them no surprise.
The Cock-House at Fellsgarth|Talbot Baines Reed
Besides, the law on this point is none too strictly obeyed or enforced.
Unknown Mexico, Volume 1 (of 2)|Carl Lumholtz

British Dictionary definitions for enforced

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

enforceable, adjectiveenforceability, nounenforcedly (ɪnˈfɔːsɪdlɪ), adverbenforcement, 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

enforce

verb (used with object), en·forced, en·forc·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of enforce

Examples from the Web for enforced

British Dictionary definitions for enforced

enforce

verb (tr)