enforce
Other forms: enforced; enforcing; enforces
To enforce means to make sure the laws and rules are being followed. So those guys wearing striped outfits and whistles? They're in charge of enforcing the rules of the game.
See the word force inside of enforce? It can help you remember that enforce is all about forcing others to follow the rules. The traffic police enforce the driving laws by handing out speeding tickets. Your parents hopefully enforce good behavior by grounding you when you stay out too late. It would be wonderful if everyone just followed the rules on their own, but it seems the temptation to be bad is just too strong. So thank goodness for all the enforcers that keep us in line.
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Vocabulary lists containing enforce
Test your strength against this list of vocabulary words that use the Latin roots forc and fort, meaning "strong."
The 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Read the full text here.
The 19th Amendment guarantees all American women the right to vote. Congress passed it on June 4, 1919 and ratified it on August 18, 1920. This list includes vocabulary from the transcription of the Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the 19th Amendment. Read the full text here.