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.
Texas Senate Bill 12, enacted in 2025, restricts certain drag performances on public property. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026 Earlier this year, the state enacted a first-in-the-nation law requiring independent audits of large AI developers’ safety practices. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 County leaders at the time promised to enact the recommendations. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 The process of recounting past encounters is one fraught with traps, says Sachs, as human minds tend to re-enact them in the mind, often editing, sometimes finding specific moments deeply burned in. — Will Tizard, Variety, 27 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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
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