ENGLISH
REFERENCE

enforcing

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɛnˈfɔɹsɪŋ// UK //ɛnfˈɔːsɪŋ// en·forc·ing

v. making sure that people follow a rule or a law. You use this when someone in power, like a teacher or a police officer, makes people obey.

v. compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation. Often describes the actions of an authority figure or regulatory body.


SIMPLE

The school is strictly enforcing the new uniform policy.

CONTEXTUAL

Local authorities are enforcing the parking ban to keep the emergency lanes clear during the festival.

COMPLEX

While the treaty was signed by all parties, the lack of an international body capable of enforcing its terms meant that violations went largely unpunished for years.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a noun phrase representing a rule, law, or standard.

Pitfall

The police is enforcing to the law.The police are enforcing the law.Enforce is a transitive verb; it takes a direct object without the preposition 'to'.

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