enforce the law
idiom
: to make sure that people obey the law
The job of the police is to enforce the law.
Examples of enforce the law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is why Trump will be under pressure to consider issuing a more expansive executive order directing his administration not to enforce the law or certifying, wrongly, that the company has met requirements that would prevent the ban from being triggered.
—
The Editors, National Review, 20 Jan. 2025
Join 4 others in the comments View Comments The enforcement mechanism for the new law would be the US Justice Department, which is changing hands at noon the day after the ban and which would have wide discretion to enforce the law (or not).
—David Goldman, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
But to hear The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley explain it, suggesting that his cops enforce the law in the same universe as 9-1-1‘s creates problems than outweigh any fun factor.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Jan. 2025
Kavanaugh suggested Apple, Google and any other conduits for the app may feel a presidential directive not to enforce the law wouldn't be enough protection from the law’s stiff penalties.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enforce the law 
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.
The Editors, National Review, 20 Jan. 2025
Join 4 others in the comments View Comments The enforcement mechanism for the new law would be the US Justice Department, which is changing hands at noon the day after the ban and which would have wide discretion to enforce the law (or not).
—David Goldman, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
But to hear The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley explain it, suggesting that his cops enforce the law in the same universe as 9-1-1‘s creates problems than outweigh any fun factor.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Jan. 2025
Kavanaugh suggested Apple, Google and any other conduits for the app may feel a presidential directive not to enforce the law wouldn't be enough protection from the law’s stiff penalties.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enforce the law
Dictionary Entries Near enforce the law
Cite this Entry
“Enforce the law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforce%20the%20law. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share