enforce
gb/ɪnfˈɔɹs/ us/ɪnfˈɔɹs/
B2
Englisch
~ 7500
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
Verb
B2
action
1
make sure rules or laws are obeyed
To make people follow a rule, law, or decision, usually by using power or authority.
Verwendungsmuster:
to enforce [a law/rule/ban/decision]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners often confuse "enforce" with "force" and "impose". "Enforce" almost always takes an abstract object like a law, rule, or policy (e.g., "enforce the rules"), not a person (we do NOT say *"enforce him to leave"; instead say "force him to leave"). Learners also mix up "enforce" and "reinforce": "enforce" is about making people obey rules; "reinforce" is about making something stronger (e.g., "reinforce an argument").
Synonyme
implement (Focuses on putting a plan or policy into practical action, not necessarily stressing punishment or control.)
|
impose (Emphasizes forcing something on people, often with a negative feeling, and not limited to rules or laws.)
|
uphold (Stresses supporting and maintaining a law or principle, with less focus on active punishment.)
Antonyme
ignore (To choose not to notice or deal with a rule or law, the opposite of making sure it is followed.)
|
overlook (To fail to notice or deliberately not act on a violation of a rule, instead of acting to enforce it.)
Wortverbindungen
enforce the law
|enforce a ban
|enforce a rule
|enforce regulations
|strictly enforce
|enforce a contract
Themen
law
|politics
|work
|society
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- The government has promised to strictly enforce the new traffic laws.
- Security staff are there to enforce the rules of the stadium.
- If we don’t enforce the dress code, people will stop taking it seriously.
- The company began enforcing its no-smoking policy in all offices last year.
- International observers say the ceasefire will be hard to enforce without more troops.
Beispiele für Lernende
- Police enforce the law in the city.
- Teachers must enforce the classroom rules.
- The school enforces a ban on phones during exams.
- Managers enforce safety rules at the factory.
- The club enforces a strict dress code.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
strengthen or support an idea
To make an idea, belief, or feeling stronger, often by adding more reasons or examples.
Verwendungsmuster:
to enforce [an argument/view/request]
Häufiger Fehler:
In modern English, speakers usually prefer "reinforce" instead of "enforce" for this meaning. Using "enforce" here can sound overly formal or old-fashioned. Learners should normally choose "reinforce an idea/argument" rather than "enforce an idea/argument" in everyday use.
Synonyme
reinforce (The most common modern verb for this meaning; focuses clearly on making an idea or feeling stronger.)
|
underline (Emphasizes drawing special attention to an idea rather than making it stronger in a logical way.)
Antonyme
undermine (To weaken or damage an argument or position, the opposite of strengthening it.)
|
dilute (To make an idea or feeling weaker or less intense.)
Wortverbindungen
enforce an argument
|enforce a point
|enforce a request
|enforce a view
Themen
communication
|thinking
|education
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- The new data strongly enforce his argument for climate action.
- Her personal story enforced the urgency of the appeal.
- These findings enforce the view that early treatment is essential.
Beispiele für Lernende
- The new facts enforce his idea.
- The example enforces her main point.
- These numbers enforce the view that costs are too high.
Grammatik
Grundform
enforce
IPA
GB/ɪnfˈɔɹs/
US/ɪnfˈɔɹs/
Silben & Betonung
en - force (2 Silben)
Stress on 2nd syllable (force)
Wortformen
Verb
- Base: enforce
- 3rd Person Singular: enforces
- Present Participle: enforcing
- Past: enforced
Wortfamilie
Forms
enforces
verb
enforcing
verb
enforced
verb
Core family
enforcement
noun B1
enforceable
adjective
Related words
enforcer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unenforceable
adjective
Advanced or less common
enforceability
noun
Ausdrücke
enforce a ban
1/ɪnfˈɔɹs ə bˈæn/
fixed phrase
make sure a ban is followed
To make people obey a ban, such as a ban on smoking or travel.
Beispiele
- Airport staff are working hard to enforce the ban on liquids in hand luggage.
- The city has struggled to enforce a ban on short-term rentals.
enforce a contract
1/ɪnfˈɔɹs ə kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
formal
make sure a contract is honored
To use legal steps so that the promises in a contract are kept.
Beispiele
- If the client does not pay, we can go to court to enforce the contract.
- The company chose not to enforce the contract after the supplier went bankrupt.
enforce the law
1/ɪnfˈɔɹs ðə lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
make sure the law is obeyed
To use power or authority so that people follow the law.
Beispiele
- It is the police who enforce the law, not make it.
- Without enough officers, it will be difficult to enforce the law in rural areas.