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
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.
Sacramento is not yet enforcing a new state law that disallows a lot of parking within 20 feet of intersections, known as daylighting, to help protect pedestrians from death and serious injury. Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025 It’s rarely been enforced, and its definitional boundaries have long been debated among legal experts. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025 Local leaders are looking to maintain the cultural vibrancy of both events while enforcing new security measures. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025 Last March, eight Republican and two Democratic board members did vote to ask the state’s attorney to file litigation that said Bertino-Tarrant’s original signature on the resolution that stopped the road project should be enforced. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for enforce 

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 4 Feb. 2025.

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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