enforce — ozdic

Collocations

7

1

(verb.)

ADV

fully, properly, rigidly, rigorously, strictly, vigorously

The government is rigorously enforcing new safety standards at all factories across the country.

legally

VERB + ENFORCE

can/cannot, could/could not

The new traffic rules could not be enforced without additional police officers.

be difficult to, be hard to, be impossible to

help (to)

Police officers help enforce traffic laws on busy city streets every day.

seek to, take steps to

The school took steps to enforce the new uniform policy at the start of term.

decline to, refuse to

Definitions

verb

1

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

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.

2

To give strength or force to; to affirm, to emphasize.

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

3

To strengthen (a castle, town etc.) with extra troops, fortifications etc.

4

To intensify, make stronger, add force to.

5

To exert oneself, to try hard.

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

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — ensure observance of laws and rules

verb — compel to behave in a certain way

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

6

01

The police are there to enforce the law.

Wiktionary

02

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

Wiktionary

03

Far from needing to be repealed, the ban on politics in the pulpit ought to be enforced more aggressively.

Wiktionary

04

The government must enforce the law immediately.

Tatoeba · #271501

05

The Sioux tribe asked the government to enforce the treaty.

Tatoeba · #805494

06

The laws were very difficult to enforce.

Tatoeba · #807396

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, enforce is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.