EnforceMake people obey a rule, law, or requirement. means to make sure a rule, law, or requirementSomething that must be done or followed. is obeyedFollowed a rule, order, or law.. It can also mean to make someone follow a decision or behave in a particular way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɛnˈfɔrs/
Easy pronunciation: en-FORS (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: force.
Verb meaning to ensure observance of laws and rules.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Enforce Meaning
to make sure rules or laws are obeyed
Part of speech: verb
Definition: ensure observance of laws and rules
Example: The city hired more inspectors to enforce the new safety rules.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- apply — Works when a rule or law is put into effect and made to be followed.
- implement — Good fit when a rule, policy, or plan is carried out and enforced.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Enforce
Meaning 2
to force someone to act or behave in a certain way
Part of speech: verb
Definition: compel to behave in a certain way
Example: The strict routine enforced discipline among the recruits.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- constrain — Fits when pressure or restriction forces behavior.
- impose — Works when a person, rule, or condition is forced on someone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Enforce Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- apply
- implement
compel to behave in a certain way
- constrain
- impose
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using enforce to mean 'encourage' or 'support' rather than 'make obey'.
- Confusing enforce with implement: implement means to put something into action, while enforce means to make sure it is followed.
- Using impose as a general synonym for every sense of enforce; it is stronger and fits only the sense of forcing behavior or a requirement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does enforce mean in simple English?
It means to make sure a rule, law, or requirement is followed.
What is a common synonym for enforce?
Apply and implement can work for the rule-and-law sense, while constrain and impose fit the sense of forcing behavior.
What is the difference between enforce and implement?
Implement means to carry something out. Enforce means to make sure it is obeyed or followed.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.