English Reference
Verb

enacting

v.
C1 Advanced US /ɛˈnæktɪŋ/ UK /ɛnˈæktɪŋ/ en·act·ing

v.to make a suggestion or a plan into an official law. It can also mean to perform a story or an action.

v.to establish a law or regulation by formal legislative process; to represent or perform a role or narrative on stage.


SIMPLE

The government is enacting new laws to protect the environment.

CONTEXTUAL

By enacting these reforms, the council hopes to reduce traffic congestion in the city center.

COMPLEX

The legislative body spent months debating the bill before finally enacting the statute that would overhaul the nation's healthcare system.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as a law, role, or plan.

Pitfall
The law was enacting by the king.The law was enacted by the king.

Learners sometimes confuse the present participle '-ing' with the past participle '-ed' when forming the passive voice.

Ashton and Reece play memory games, it seems, enacting scenes from their former lives.

The Guardian· 27 Aug 2026

And Trump has said he envisions enacting many more of these so-called trade law tariffs.

The Conversation· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated