# enforce

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪnˈfoɹs/ · frequency rank #7,559

## Definitions
1. To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
2. To give strength or force to; to affirm, to emphasize.
3. To strengthen (a castle, town etc.) with extra troops, fortifications etc.
4. To intensify, make stronger, add force to.
5. To exert oneself, to try hard.
6. To compel, oblige (someone or something); to force.
7. To make or gain by force; to force.
8. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.
9. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to energize.
10. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.
11. To prove; to evince.

## Etymology
From Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiāre, from in- + fortis (“strong”).

## Easily confused with
- **enforced** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/enforce-vs-enforced)
- **enforcer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/enforce-vs-enforcer)
- **encore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/encore-vs-enforce)
- **endorse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/endorse-vs-enforce)

## Common misspellings (10)
`efnorce`, `enfforce`, `enfocre`, `enforcce`, `enforec`, `enforrce`, `enfroce`, `ennforce`, `enofrce`, `neforce`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/enforce