enforce
/ɪnˈfoɹs/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: enforces · enforcing · enforced
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
Verb
Examples
The police are there to enforce the law.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To apply a rule or enforcement action to a person or user account.
Verb
Examples
This will give us the tools we need to enforce accounts like these.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “enforce” mean?
To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
Is “enforce” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.