ENFORCE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

enforce

verb

in-ˈfȯrs

Definition of enforce

as in to implement

to carry out effectively the duty of the police is to enforce the law

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of enforce That order also applies to the settlers, but so far it has only been enforced against Palestinians, Israeli human rights activists and journalists who have tried to reach the hilltop. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Both must enforce rules that require content creators to disclose their commercial interests. — Avi Tuschman, STAT, 13 Aug. 2026 The Taliban-run Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which enforces many of the government’s rules on women, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026 On Thursday, Jurado called on the mayor’s office to enforce the Friday deadline, and if it is not met, as expected, ensure that there are consequences for the company. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enforce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enforce

Verb

On Friday, authorities began implementing rotating 48-hour water shut-offs in parts of the capital San Juan, as well as neighborhoods in the cities of Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza.

— Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, a judge found Meta had created a public nuisance and ordered it to pay an additional $567 million and implement youth-safety measures.

— Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of implement

Verb

The marks apply across all Claude surfaces people use — the API, Claude Code, Claude Cowork and deployments through AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Foundry.

— Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
But no matter the amount returned, states have held that their specific rules apply to banks lending within their borders.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of apply

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enfolds

enforce

enforced

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“Enforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enforce. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of enforce

verb

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