ə̇nˈfō(ə)rs, en-, -ȯ(ə)rs, -ōəs, -ȯ(ə)s transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English enforcen, from Middle French enforcier to strengthen, force, from Old French, from en- en- (I) + force, n., strength & forcier, v., to attack — more at force (n.), force (v.)
1. : to give force to : reinforce
his comment is enough to confirm and enforce the significance attributed to a free ballot
2.
a. : to urge with energy
enforce arguments
b. obsolete : encourage , inspire
3. obsolete : to use force upon : assail , assault
4. obsolete : to fling or drive forcibly
5. : constrain , compel
enforce obedience from children
6. obsolete : to make or obtain by force
enforce a passage
7. : to put in force : cause to take effect : give effect to especially with vigor
enforce laws
a government unable to enforce its national interests
enforced his rule by cruel methods — C.S.Forester
Synonyms:
implement: enforce refers to requiring operation, observance, or protection of laws, orders, contracts, and agreements by authority, often that of a whole government or of its executive or legal branches
this law is seldom enforced
in order to make the papal bureaucracy disciplined and fit for such duties he enforced the hated rule of celibacy upon his clergy — Herbert Agar
the mediator's request for troops to back up its resolutions and enforce the truce — Collier's Year Book
implement suggests performance of such acts as are necessary to bring into actual effect or operation some agreed-on plan or measure
the estimates of public accountants that the actual cost of implementing the bill would be about double the amount the president forecast — Current Biography
he also urged that military equipment be given to the nations of Western Europe to implement the Brussels pact — Current Biography
to implement the prison's group activities by providing films, books, and pamphlets — Saturday Review