enforce

1 of 2

verb

en·​force in-ˈfȯrs 

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

in-ˌfȯr-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

en-

noun

enforceable

in-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl 

en-

adjective

enforcement

in-ˈfȯr-smənt 

en-

noun

enforceability

2 of 2

noun

en·​force·​abil·​i·​ty

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being enforceable

Synonyms of enforce

Verb

• implement
• apply

Examples of enforce in a Sentence

Verb

Police will be enforcing the parking ban.

the duty of the police is to enforce the law

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

CISOs invested billions of dollars fortifying corporate inboxes with secure email gateways (SEGs), enforcing strict DMARC policies and conducting continuous phishing simulations for employees. — Firas Azmeh, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

His tenure with the department included working in the jail and later for the domestic violence unit, enforcing domestic violence protective orders. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

One limitation of obtaining court orders against counterfeiters is the difficulty of enforcing them in foreign jurisdictions. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The government will enforce those requirements by the end of 2027. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French enforcer, from en- + force force

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing enforce

• enforce the law

Rhymes for enforce

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce
• workhorse

Kids Definition

enforce

verb

en·​force in-ˈfō(ə)rs 

-ˈfȯ(ə)rs

1

: to bring about by force : compel

enforce obedience

2

: to carry out effectively

enforce the law

enforceable

-ˈfōr-sə-bəl 

-fȯr-

adjective

enforcement

-ˈfōr-smənt 

-fȯr-

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 legislation

—U.S. Constitution amend. XIX