enforce Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb ensure observance of laws and rules;
    apply; implement.
    • Apply the rules to everyone
  2. verb compel to behave in a certain way
    impose.
    • Social relations impose courtesy

WordNet

En*force" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F. enforcir; pref. en- (L. in) + F. force. See Force.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Enforced ; present participle & verbal noun Enforcing
Definitions
  1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands.
    Inward joy enforced my heart to smile. Shak.
  2. To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage. "Enforcing furious way." Spenser.
  3. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.
    As swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings. Shak.
  4. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy; as, to enforce arguments or requests.
    Enforcing sentiment of the thrust humanity. Burke.
  5. To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws.
  6. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.
    Enforce him with his envy to the people. Shak.
En*force intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To attempt by force. Obs.
  2. To prove; to evince. R. Hooker.
  3. To strengthen; to grow strong. Obs. Chaucer.
En*force" noun
Definitions
  1. Force; strength; power. Obs.
    A petty enterprise of small enforce. Milton.

Webster 1913