enforce

verb

en·​force in-ˈfȯrs How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
enforced; enforcing; enforces
Synonyms of enforce

transitive verb

1
: to give force to : strengthen
2
: to urge with energy
enforce arguments
3
: constrain, compel
enforce obedience
4
obsolete : to effect or gain by force
5
: to carry out effectively
enforce laws
enforceability
in-ˌfȯr-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
noun
enforceable
in-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
adjective
enforcement
in-ˈfȯr-smənt How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
noun

Synonyms of enforce

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Examples of enforce in a Sentence

Police will be enforcing the parking ban. the duty of the police is to enforce the law
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the nineties, Lee fought to enforce a law that required Korean theatres to show domestic movies for a certain portion of the year. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The theater, the ballet, the opera, and the symphony, where turning off your phone is gleefully enforced, are sanctuaries. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026 Volant said most guests have welcomed the new rules — with some even encouraging the hotel to enforce them more strictly, the article noted. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Still, whether California can actually enforce its newest gun control measures remains largely untested. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enforce

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enforcer, from en- + force force

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enforce was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing enforce

Rhymes for enforce

See All Rhymes for enforce

Browse Nearby Words

enfoldment
enforce
enforceability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforce. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enforce

verb
en·​force in-ˈfō(ə)rs How to pronounce enforce (audio)
-ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
: to bring about by force : compel
enforce obedience
2
: to carry out effectively
enforce the law
enforceable
-ˈfōr-sə-bəl How to pronounce enforce (audio)
-fȯr-
adjective
enforcement
-ˈfōr-smənt How to pronounce enforce (audio)
-fȯr-
noun
enforcer noun

Legal Definition

enforce

transitive verb
en·​force
enforced; enforcing
: to cause to take effect or to be fulfilled
enforcing the divorce decree
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation—U.S. Constitution amend. XIX
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