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enforced

/ɛnˈfɔrst/
/ɛnˈfɔst/
IPA guide

Other forms: enforcedly

Things that are enforced are required — someone makes you do them. The enforced rules at your school are the ones that the teachers make sure all students stick to and follow.

One way to remember that enforced means "required" or "compelled" is to think of rules being "in force." It's almost always laws, rules, or standards that are enforced — enforced parking regulations, for example, are rules that will earn you a ticket if you don't follow them. The adjective enforced comes from the verb enforce, which originally meant "strive or attempt," and later "compel" or "exert force." The Old French root is enforcier, "strengthen," and also "oppress."

Definitions of enforced
  1. adjective
    forced or compelled or put in force
    “a life of enforced inactivity”
    enforced obedience”
    synonyms: implemented
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    unenforced
    not enforced; not compelled especially by legal or police action
Pronunciation
US
/ɛnˈfɔrst/
UK
/ɛnˈfɔst/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘enforced'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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