enforce

verb

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

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 noun
enforceable adjective
enforcement noun

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.
Software designed to fix security holes was not installed, and the company failed to enforce a policy that ensured employees used secure passwords. Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025 The Department of Justice is empowered under the federal securities laws to protect the integrity of the American capital markets by enforcing the securities laws and regulations. Samidh Guha, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025 Trump has chosen to enforce immigration laws to the fullest extent. Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025 And in May, the Supreme Court allowed the Administration to enforce a ban on transgender people from serving in the military. Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 Nov. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforce. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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 adjective
enforcement 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 legislationU.S. Constitution amend. XIX

More from Merriam-Webster on enforce

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