Enforce Meaning
/ɪnˈfoɹs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
verbTo give strength or force to; to affirm, to emphasize.
Sentence Examples
The government must enforce the law immediately.
The Sioux tribe asked the government to enforce the treaty.
It's the job of the police to enforce the law.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police officer will strictly ____ the traffic laws in the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police are here to ____ the laws and protect every citizen.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiāre, from in- + fortis (“strong”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Far from needing to be repealed, the ban on politics in the pulpit ought to be enforced more aggressively."
— 2013 September 8, “The pulpit should be free of politics”, in Los Angeles Times:
"I pray you enforce youreselff at that justis that ye may be beste, for my love."
— 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book VII, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
"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."
— 1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"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."
— 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition I, section 2, member 4, subsection iv:
"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."
— 1899, E. OE. Somerville, Martin Ross, Some Experiences of an Irish R.M., Great Uncle McCarthy:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police officer will strictly ____ the traffic laws in the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police are here to ____ the laws and protect every citizen.