How is "enact" used on the GRE?

"enact" is a commonly tested GRE vocabulary word. It appears in Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension sections. Understanding its definition, synonyms, and usage in context is essential for GRE Verbal Reasoning.

What are synonyms for "enact"?

Synonyms for "enact" include: legislate, authorize, ratify, implement, ordain, decree, execute, promulgate.

enact

Pronunciation: en-AKT

verb

Difficulty: common

Definition of enact

To formally establish or decree something, especially through legislative or authoritative means; to perform or act out a role or scenario.

Origin of enact

Language of origin: Middle English

Root word: enacten

Original meaning: 'en-' means 'to cause' and 'act' means 'deed or performance'

How it evolved: Originally used to denote the performance of an act, later evolved to include the formal establishment of laws or regulations.

Derived from Middle English 'enacten', meaning 'to decree or perform'. The prefix 'en-' implies 'to cause or make', while 'act' refers to a deed or performance.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember enact

Think of 'enact' as 'enabling an act'—whether it's passing a law or performing a scene.

Synonyms for enact

legislate
authorize
ratify
implement
ordain
decree
execute
promulgate

Antonyms of enact

repeal
invalidate
nullify
abolish
rescind

enact in a Sentence

The government plans to enact new environmental regulations to combat climate change.
The theater troupe decided to enact Shakespeare's Hamlet with a modern twist in its staging and dialogue.
Congress struggled to enact the proposed healthcare reform bill due to partisan disagreements.

enact in Literature & Culture

Enact is often used in political speeches and legal writings to emphasize the importance of implementing change. It also appears in literary contexts to describe dramatic performances.

Usage Notes

Enact is often used in legal or formal contexts to refer to the establishment of laws, policies, or regulations. It can also refer to performing or portraying roles in artistic settings.

Why enact Matters for GRE & SAT

Enact is a versatile verb that appears in both legal and artistic contexts, making it a useful word for GRE test-takers to know for reading comprehension and sentence equivalence questions.

Word Family

enactment (noun): The process or result of formally establishing something into law.
actor (noun): A person who performs a role in a play or film.
action (noun): The process of doing something to achieve an aim.

Did You Know?

The word ‘enact’ is frequently used in historical texts to describe the passing of landmark legislation.
In theater, 'enact' is often used to describe the process of bringing a character to life on stage.
The word is closely related to the Latin root 'actus', which also gives us words like 'active' and 'activity'.

implement
ratify
decree
ebullient — cheerful and joyful
eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
eclipse — overshadow or surpass

More Vocabulary Words Starting with E

ebullient — cheerful and joyful
ebullient — cheerful and joyful
eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
eclipse — overshadow or surpass