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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Enforce: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：make people obey (enforce)

enforce 🔊

/ɪnˈfɔːrs/

vt.

To make people follow a rule or law, often using power or authority.

Enforce meaning illustrated by a traffic officer ensuring rules are obeyed.

make people obey 🔊

➕

/meɪk ˈpiːpəl əˈbeɪ/

vt.

To use authority or power to ensure that a rule, law, or agreement is followed.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'en-' (to cause to be) + 'force' (strength), meaning 'to put force into'.

💡 Mnemonic

ENter with FORCE. Imagine someone entering a situation using power to make rules happen.

📖 Example

The police are here to enforce the traffic laws and keep everyone safe on the road. 🔊 The police are present to make people obey the traffic regulations and ensure safety for all on the road.

🔗 Collocations

enforce a law – to ensure a law is obeyed

enforce rules – to compel adherence to rules

enforce a ban – to make a prohibition effective

🔄 Synonyms

implement (vt.) – To put a decision, plan, or system into effect.

apply (vt.) – To bring into operation or use, especially a rule or law.

impose (vt.) – To force something to be accepted or complied with.

🚫 Antonyms

neglect (vt.) – To fail to care for or give proper attention to.

ignore (vt.) – To refuse to take notice of or acknowledge.

repeal (vt.) – To officially revoke or annul a law or act.

🌱 Derivatives

enforcement (n.) – The act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation.

enforcer (n.) – A person or group that compels others to obey rules or laws.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old French 'enforcier', from Latin 'infortiāre', meaning 'to strengthen'. Historically used to describe the act of strengthening or compelling adherence, especially in legal and military contexts.

Meaning 2：implement strictly (enforce)

enforce 🔊

/ɪnˈfɔːrs/

vt.

To cause something to happen or be done, especially when people may not agree.

Enforce definition shown as a manager strictly implementing a new office policy.

implement strictly 🔊

➕

/ˈɪmplɪment ˈstrɪktli/

vt.

To cause an idea, plan, or system to be put into action or effect, sometimes against opposition.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After the team meeting, the manager decided to enforce the new working style starting next Monday. 🔊 Following the team meeting, the manager made the decision to implement the new working style strictly from next Monday.

🔗 Collocations

enforce a decision – to ensure a decision is acted upon

enforce a policy – to compel compliance with an official policy

enforce changes – to make sure changes are implemented

🔄 Synonyms

execute (vt.) – To carry out a plan, order, or course of action.

administer (vt.) – To manage and be responsible for the implementation of rules or systems.

effectuate (vt.) – To put something into force or operation.

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (vt.) – To give up completely a course of action or plan.

rescind (vt.) – To revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement.

🌱 Derivatives

enforceable (adj.) – Capable of being enforced or compelled.