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

Congress first enacted a federal gasoline tax in 1932 at one cent per gallon, originally as a general revenue measure during the Depression. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Other legislatures have enacted pauses or bans, but this is believed to be the first move of its kind. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 4 June 2026

Some lawmakers push for a 'balanced approach' Many states have enacted or introduced legislation that doesn't halt the construction of new data centers, but imposes regulations in hopes of protecting nearby communities from rising utility costs and mitigating adverse environmental impacts. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 June 2026

On Thursday, Charlotte residents and activists again urged the City Council to enact a 150-day moratorium. —Charlotte Observer, 4 June 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