enforce

verb

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

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

(obsolete) To compel, oblige (someone or something); to force.

(obsolete) To make or gain by force; to force.

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

(obsolete, transitive) To intensify, make stronger, add force to.

(obsolete, reflexive) To exert oneself, to try hard.

(obsolete) To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to energize.

(obsolete) To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.

(obsolete) To prove; to evince.

(obsolete) To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.

Roots

fortisforc- · Latin · strong

Synonyms for enforce

imposev implementv constrainv applyv compelv promulgatev effectuatev obligev administerv prosecutev

Synonyms & related words for enforce

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of enforce — including impose, implement, constrain, apply, compel, promulgate. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to enforce

Explore words related to enforce — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include nonenforceable, nonenforcement, enforcement, enforceable, enact, unenforced, imposer, uphold. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for enforce

Common synonyms for enforce include impose, implement, constrain, apply, compel, promulgate, effectuate, oblige — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does enforce come from?

The word enforce breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root forc-, from Latin fortis (“strong”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.