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Meaning of ENFORCE

Pronunciation:  en'fowrs

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [v]  ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone";
  2. [v]  compel or impose; "Social relations impose courtesy"
 
 Websites: 
 
 Synonyms: apply, implement, impose
 
 Antonyms: exempt, free, relieve
 
 See Also: carry, clamp down, compel, execute, get tough, obligate, oblige, run

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \En*force"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Enforced}; p. pr. &
    vb. n. {Enforcing}.] [OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F.
    enforcir; pref. en- (L. in) + F. force. See {Force}.]
    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.
    
  2. \En*force\, v. i.
    1. To attempt by force. [Obs.]
    2. To prove; to evince. [R.] --Hooker.
    3. To strengthen; to grow strong. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
    
  3. \En*force"\, n.
    Force; strength; power. [Obs.]
          A petty enterprise of small enforce.     --Milton.
    
 
Thesaurus Terms
 
 Related Terms: abide by, accomplish, adhere to, administer, apply, bestow, bind, bring to bear, browbeat, bully, carry out, carry through, cause, cause to, coerce, compel, complete, constrain, demand, discharge, dose, dose with, drive, effect, effectuate, enforce upon, execute, fill out, force, force upon, fulfill, give, have, honor, impel, implement, impose, impose on, impose upon, impress upon, inflict, insist on, insist upon, intimidate, invoke, lay on, lean on, make, make out, mete out to, oblige, observe, perform, prescribe for, press, promulgate, prosecute, put in force, put in practice, put into effect, put into execution, put on, put through, put to use, put upon, railroad, reinforce, render, require, restrain, stress, support, tie, transact, use force upon
 

 

 

 

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