enforce Definition
en·force (en fôrs′, in-)
transitive verb -·forced′, -·forc′·ing
- to give force to; urge to enforce an argument by analogies
- to bring about or impose by force to enforce one's will on a child
- to compel observance of (a law, etc.)
Etymology: ME enforcen < OFr enforcier < en-, in + force, force
enforce Related Forms
enforce Synonyms
enforce
v.
To add strength
reinforce, fortify, support; see strengthen.To require compliance
urge, compel, impose, exert, drive, demand, carry out vigorously, put in force, implement, invoke, have executed, expect, dictate, exact, require, pressure, constrain, execute, administer, coerce, oblige, insist upon, emphasize, necessitate, press, impel, make, sanction, wrest, extort, force, stress, spur, hound*, dragoon*, whip*, lash*, put the screws on*, crack down*, clamp down*, get tough*.
enforce Usage Examples
Object
- compliance: The stages should become increasingly punitive in order to enforce compliance.
- judgment: They asked for further action to enforce the judgment to be held over.
- ban: The sightings have raised fears that little is being done to enforce the ban.
- legislation: Product Safety Trading Standards enforces legislation which governs the safety of consumer goods.
- law: Do you think the police will be able to enforce the new law banning hunting with dogs?
- restriction: The browser will enforce the restriction of one button selected at a time.
Subject
- inspector: They seem mostly to want fresh anti-pollution laws, to be enforced by Government-appointed inspectors.
- court: They are neither codified nor enforced by courts of law, and as such there is no punishment if there are breached.
- police: The current scheme whereby parking regulations are enforced by the police just doesn't seem to be working.
Modifying Another Word
- rigorously: The lack of graffiti or litter was due to heavy fines rigorously enforced.
- rigidly: Every hospital must have a formal policy for the bedside check which must be rigidly enforced at all times.
- strictly: Word Limits The maximum lengths of theses are strictly enforced.
- vigorously: A few streets are busy through-routes, yet a vigorously enforced traffic scheme ensures that the majority enjoy a quiet life.
- aggressively: Health and Safety cannot be left to chance and is aggressively enforced company wide.
- stringently: Assessment Tough laws on migration and asylum stringently enforced.
Preposition: if
borrower: An exit fee is a charge that the mortgage lender enforces if a borrower leaves their mortgage before the end of the term.
Preposition: in
accordance: The terms shall be governed by, and enforced in accordance with English Law.
Preposition: by
- inspector: They seem mostly to want fresh anti-pollution laws, to be enforced by Government-appointed inspectors.
- sanction: This virtually provides US and European multinationals with global patent rights which can now be enforced by retaliatory trade sanctions.
- court: They are neither codified nor enforced by courts of law, and as such there is no punishment if there are breached.
Browse dictionary entries near enforce
- ‹ enfold
- ‹ enfleurage
- ‹ enfilade
- ‹ Enfield
- ‹ enfetter
- ‹ enfeoff
- ‹ enfeeble
- ‹ enfant terrible
- ‹ enface
- ‹ Enesco
- enforced ›
- enforcement ›
- enfranchise ›
- enfranchisement ›
- eng ›
- Engadine ›
- engagé ›
- engage ›
- engage in ›
- engaged ›

