enforce

CEFRB2

/ɪnˈfoɹs/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To make people obey a law, rule, or agreement.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

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

Examples

  • It's the job of the police to enforce the law.

  • The government must enforce the law immediately.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • /-ˈfo(ː)ɹs/
  • /ɪnˈfɔːs/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

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

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

  3. To intensify, make stronger, add force to.

More examples

In context

  • The Sioux tribe asked the government to enforce the treaty.

  • The police are there to enforce the law.

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

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The police officer will strictly blank the traffic laws in the city.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiāre, from in- + fortis (“strong”).