enact
gb/ɪnˈækt/ us/ɪnˈækt/
B1
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
B2
action
1
Make a law official
To make a rule or law official.
Usage pattern:
to enact [a law/policy/rule]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'enact' with 'act'; 'act' can mean to perform or take action, while 'enact' in this sense refers specifically to making something into law.
Synonyms
pass (Common and less formal term for approving a law.)
|
legislate (More formal and general term for making laws.)
Antonyms
repeal (Means to officially cancel an existing law.)
Collocations
enact legislation
|enact a law
|enact reforms
|enact measures
Themes
law
|government
|politics
Examples
- The government plans to enact new environmental regulations next year.
- Congress enacted the bill after months of debate.
- Several states have enacted stricter gun control laws.
Learner examples
- The city will enact a new safety rule.
- The school enacted a dress code.
- The country enacted a tax law.
Verb
B1
action
2
Perform or act out
To act out a story or event.
Usage pattern:
to enact [a scene/role/event]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'enact' with 'react'; 'react' means to respond to something, while 'enact' means to perform or act out.
Synonyms
perform (General term for acting in front of an audience.)
|
portray (Focuses on representing a specific character or role.)
Antonyms
improvise (To perform without pre-planned actions or script.)
Collocations
enact a scene
|enact the role
|enact a historical event
Themes
arts
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The students enacted a scene from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
- They enacted the signing of the Declaration of Independence for the audience.
- Volunteers enacted the emergency drill procedures.
Learner examples
- The children enacted the story for their parents.
- Actors enacted the final battle.
- We enacted a short play in class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enact
IPA
GB/ɪnˈækt/
US/ɪnˈækt/
Syllables & stress
en - act (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (act)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: enact
- 3rd Person Singular: enacts
- Present Participle: enacting
- Past: enacted
Word family
Expressions
enact into law
1/ɪnˈækt ˈɪntu lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
formal
Make something an official law
To make something become an official law.
Examples
- The bill was enacted into law last week.
- Several reforms were enacted into law after public pressure.