Enforce

/ɪnˈfoɹs/ · verb

Meaning

To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force..

Definitions by Sense

1. To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
2. To give strength or force to; to affirm, to emphasize.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To strengthen (a castle, town etc.) with extra troops, fortifications etc.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To intensify, make stronger, add force to.
5. (obsolete, reflexive) To exert oneself, to try hard.
6. (obsolete) To compel, oblige (someone or something); to force.
7. (obsolete) To make or gain by force; to force.
8. (obsolete) To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.

Example Sentences

The police are there to enforce the law.

1929, Chiang Kai-shek, quoted in “Nationalist Notes,” Time, 11 February, 1929, Our task is only half finished. It will be my duty to enforce the decisions of the conference and I hereby pledge myself to that end.

Far from needing to be repealed, the ban on politics in the pulpit ought to be enforced more aggressively.

The victim was able to enforce his evidence against the alleged perpetrator.

I pray you enforce youreselff at that justis that ye may be beste, for my love.

Sweete prince I come, these these thy amorous lines, / Might haue enforst me to haue swum from France, / And like Leander gaspt vpon the sande, / So thou wouldst smile and take me in thy armes.

Uladislaus the Second, King of Poland, and Peter Dunnius, Earl of Shrine[…]had been hunting late, and were enforced to lodge in a poor cottage.

In a few minutes I was stealthily groping my way down my own staircase, with a box of matches in my hand, enforced by scientific curiosity, but none the less armed with a stick.

Synonyms for enforce

Antonyms for enforce

Related Words

Word Forms

• enforces
• enforcing
• enforced
• inforce

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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