enforce
/ɪnˈfoɹs/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.96 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To apply a rule or enforcement action to a person or user account.
verb
To strengthen (a castle, town etc.) with extra troops, fortifications etc.
Obsolete; Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "The police are there to enforce the law."
- "1929, Chiang Kai-shek, quoted in “Nationalist Notes,” Time, 11 February, 1929, Our task is only half finished. It will be my duty to enforce the decisions of the conference and I hereby pledge myself to that end."
- "Far from needing to be repealed, the ban on politics in the pulpit ought to be enforced more aggressively."
- "This will give us the tools we need to enforce accounts like these."
- "The victim was able to enforce his evidence against the alleged perpetrator."
- "I pray you enforce youreselff at that justis that ye may be beste, for my love."
Etymology
From Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiāre, from in- + fortis (“strong”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: enforcen, enforcier, infortiāre
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ɪnˈfoɹs/
- British English: /ɪnˈfɔːs/