enact

verb

en·​act i-ˈnakt 

enacted; enacting; enacts

transitive verb

1

: to establish by legal and authoritative act

specifically : to make into law

enact a bill

2

: act out

enact a role

enactor

i-ˈnak-tər 

noun

Synonyms of enact

• pass
• constitute
• legislate
• approve
• make

Examples of enact in a Sentence

Congress will enact legislation related to that issue.

The law was finally enacted today.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the laws can’t go into effect until the federal government enacts similar legislation, and the 2023 version of the bill fizzled out in a congressional committee. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026

However, that law wouldn’t go into effect unless Washington state enacts similar regulations. —Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026

Guatemala is close to enacting its first film law. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026

In a state in which the myth that school quality is a function of school spending is the starting point for most education policy debates, the law enacted in October was a rare triumph for genuine reform. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enact

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact
• intact

Kids Definition

enact

verb

en·​act in-ˈakt 

1

: to make (as a bill) into law

enact legislation

2

: to act out

enact a scene from a play

enactor

-ˈak-tər 

noun

Legal Definition

enact

transitive verb

en·​act i-ˈnakt 

: to establish by legal and authoritative act : make into law

enact a bill