enforced; enforcing; enforces
1
: to give force to : strengthen
2
: to urge with energy
enforce arguments
4
obsolete
: to effect or gain by force
5
: to carry out effectively
enforce laws
Examples of enforce in a Sentence
Police will be enforcing the parking ban.
the duty of the police is to enforce the law
Recent Examples on the Web
The Miami-Dade Police Department was the initial agency that enforced the program, but it was replaced by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office in January 2025.
—
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
If Congress didn't enforce the law then, why should Americans have confidence that it will be enforced now?
—NBC news, 3 May 2026
The failure of teams like the Mets, Phillies, and Red Sox will only enforce the MLB Players Association’s rock-hard stance that baseball doesn’t need a salary cap.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
That capacity could buy time, though how much will depend on how strictly the US enforces the blockade.
—Anthony Di Paola, Fortune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enforce
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Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
If Congress didn't enforce the law then, why should Americans have confidence that it will be enforced now?
—NBC news, 3 May 2026
The failure of teams like the Mets, Phillies, and Red Sox will only enforce the MLB Players Association’s rock-hard stance that baseball doesn’t need a salary cap.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
That capacity could buy time, though how much will depend on how strictly the US enforces the blockade.
—Anthony Di Paola, Fortune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enforce
Cite this Entry
“Enforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforce. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enforce
verb
en·force
in-ˈfō(ə)rs 
-ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
: to bring about by force : compel
enforce obedience
2
: to carry out effectively
enforce the law
Legal Definition
enforce
transitive verb
en·force
enforced; enforcing
: to cause to take effect or to be fulfilled
enforcing the divorce decree
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation—U.S. Constitution amend. XIX
U.S. Constitution amend. XIXLove words? Need even more definitions?
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