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

This exemplifies a reactive legal framework that pursues accountability in hindsight rather than enforcing prevention at the front end. — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Since then, mayoral defiance of the legal obligations to enforce the council’s budget has left the city financially short of that modest projection. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

The postliberals want to enforce a Catholic conception of the common good and morality. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students' rights. — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 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