enforce

verb

en·​force in-ˈfȯrs 

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

in-ˌfȯr-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

en-

noun

enforceable

in-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl 

en-

adjective

enforcement

in-ˈfȯr-smənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of enforce

• implement
• apply

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

That includes a key Democratic ask to allow state attorneys general to enforce ethics requirements on federal officials. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

At least 25 states are now enforcing laws or policies banning transgender women and girls from competing in at least some women’s and girls' sports and three others have adopted laws but have enforcement blocked by the courts. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

At least 25 states are now enforcing laws or policies banning transgender women and girls from competing in at least some women’s and girls’ sports and three others have adopted laws but have enforcement blocked by the courts. — Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The administration had filed an emergency measure to try to enforce the restrictions before the pivotal elections. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing enforce

• enforce the law

Rhymes for enforce

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce
• workhorse

Kids Definition

enforce

verb

en·​force in-ˈfō(ə)rs 

-ˈfȯ(ə)rs

1

: to bring about by force : compel

enforce obedience

2

: to carry out effectively

enforce the law

enforceable

-ˈfōr-sə-bəl 

-fȯr-

adjective

enforcement

-ˈfōr-smənt 

-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