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

Catcher Austin Wells capped the game with a three-run home run in the seventh inning to enact the World Baseball Classic’s mercy rule, which ends the game when a team is up by 10 or more runs after seven innings. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

Late last year, Australia enacted a new law requiring age verification for social-media users. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

Prior to the law being enacted, there was a penalty of 50% associated with an insufficient withdrawal. —Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026

Opponents sued to block enforcement the same year the law was enacted, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals let most of it go into effect. —Idaho Statesman, 13 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