enact

verb

en·​act i-ˈnakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
enacted; enacting; enacts
Synonyms of enact

transitive verb

1
: to establish by legal and authoritative act
specifically : to make into law
enact a bill
2
: act out
enact a role
enactor
i-ˈnak-tər How to pronounce enact (audio)
noun

Synonyms of enact

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Examples of enact in a Sentence

Congress will enact legislation related to that issue. The law was finally enacted today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The court did not say that the other 23 states must enact laws. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 At least two states have previously enacted it, and it's been proposed in Congress. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Inflation is rising in the aftermath of the Iran war, having already gotten a boost from tariffs enacted last year, even as wage growth continues a longer-term moderation. — Dan Mangan,luke Fountain,kevin Breuninger,garrett Downs,ashley Capoot,justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026 Programs were enacted to identify threats and warn financial service providers, reminding them of their responsibility to the American people. — Richard Nephew, Fortune, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enact

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enact was in the 15th century

Rhymes for enact

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Browse Nearby Words

enabler
enact
enaction
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Cite this Entry

“Enact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enact. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enact

verb
en·​act in-ˈakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
1
: to make (as a bill) into law
enact legislation
2
: to act out
enact a scene from a play
enactor
-ˈak-tər How to pronounce enact (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

enact

transitive verb
en·​act i-ˈnakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
: to establish by legal and authoritative act : make into law
enact a bill

More from Merriam-Webster on enact

Nglish: Translation of enact for Spanish Speakers

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