as in passes
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
Congress enacts all laws relating to foreign trade and immigration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of enacts
In this light, the death penalty becomes not merely a tool of criminal justice but a declaration of supremacy – an instrument through which the state enacts its divine mandate.
—
Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Waymo doesn’t plan to launch its service in Minnesota until the state enacts new laws to set up basic regulations.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Senate Enrolled Act 76, which enacts penalties for local units of government that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
And one way the city could do that is a zoning moratorium, which essentially enacts a temporary pause on accepting or approving certain zoning applications in a particular area.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Rumyantsev’s Joseph in Nirvana, 2026, enacts this tidal project through a parafictional installation about the persistent cult of Stalin in Tajikistan, whose capital was named Stalinabad until 1961.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Waymo doesn’t plan to launch its service in Minnesota until the state enacts new laws to set up basic regulations.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Senate Enrolled Act 76, which enacts penalties for local units of government that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
And one way the city could do that is a zoning moratorium, which essentially enacts a temporary pause on accepting or approving certain zoning applications in a particular area.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Rumyantsev’s Joseph in Nirvana, 2026, enacts this tidal project through a parafictional installation about the persistent cult of Stalin in Tajikistan, whose capital was named Stalinabad until 1961.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enacts
Verb
-
Miles projects as a commanding dynamo who will cause havoc with her ability to play at a high tempo in transition, move the ball quickly in the half-court offense and deliver no-look passes from any angle.—
Matthew Coller,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This historical illiteracy – as well as a fundamental lack of understanding about what constitutes anti-Semitism – leaves institutions without clear standards for addressing the centuries-old hatred.—
Kenneth L. Marcus,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Morgans are now challenging SB 1137 in federal court, arguing that the setback law constitutes an uncompensated taking of their mineral estate prohibited by the Fifth Amendment.—
Paige Gilliard,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Congress still legislates, albeit at a glacial pace.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Cannon-Brookes is urging Australia to show more ambition on climate action, even as the new government legislates plans to strengthen the country’s carbon emissions cuts.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The bill also approves a request for a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Council approves the final list.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Under the Clean Air Act, which dictates timelines for the Title V air permit renewals, the state health department should have completed it by October 2023.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Today’s Baroque version is popular for weddings, even if tradition dictates that the groom carries the bride up the 99 steps leading from the boat dock to the church door.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enacts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enacts. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
