erzwingen
Translation
to force, to compel, to enforce
Examples
Man kann eine Entschuldigung nicht erzwingen.
You cannot force an apology.
Er erzwang den Zugang zum Gebäude.
He forced access to the building.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to force sth. Man kann eine Entschuldigung nicht erzwingen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: zwingen, nötigen (to coerce); Antonyms: erlauben (to allow), gestatten (to permit)
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' (indicating completion or achievement of a result) + 'zwingen' (to force). It implies forcing a specific outcome.
Memory Tips
'erzwingen' is stronger than 'zwingen'; it's about forcing a result or an outcome, not just an action.