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 Lebanon’s prime minister welcomed the cease-fire call, telling Reuters that its success will ride on Israel’s commitment to enforce international resolutions. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 Remember your end goal of reclaiming the basement, using it as an incentive to enforce the boundaries and make the decisions necessary to transform the space. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2024 Moody has been a fierce critic of politicians such as Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) for failing to enforce and defend the laws on the books. Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Sep. 2024 The National Labor Relations Board, an independent agency that enforces federal labor law and guarantees eligible employees the right to unionize, will play a crucial role in determining whether and which college athletes are employees. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enforce 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enforce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near enforce

Cite this Entry

“Enforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforce. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

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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