unenforced
Law without teeth
Unenforced describes rules, laws, or standards that exist on paper but aren't actively applied or policed.
An unenforced speed limit gets ignored.
An unenforced dress code allows anything.
The term often implies the rule has become toothless through neglect or tacit acceptance of violations: The law remained on the books but went largely unenforced.
Lacking power to achieve
- toothlessHaving no teeth
- nonbindingNot legally compulsory
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- weakLacking power or force
symbolic · nominal · hollow · empty · futile · impotent · insubstantial · perfunctory
Purposely not noticed
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- disregardedNot given consideration
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- forgottenNo longer recalled
unheeded · unobserved · unapplied · unimplemented · obsolete · dormant · lapsed · inactive
ineffective
Lacking power to achieve
- toothlessHaving no teeth
- nonbindingNot legally compulsory
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
weak · symbolic · nominal · hollow · empty · futile · impotent · insubstantial · perfunctory · cosmetic
ignored
Purposely not noticed
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- disregardedNot given consideration
- neglectedNot given proper attention
forgotten · unheeded · unobserved · unapplied · unimplemented · obsolete · dormant · lapsed · inactive · unused
lenient
Tolerant of faults
- permissiveTolerant, lacking strictness
- tolerantAccepting of differences
- looseNot firmly secured
relaxed · laissez-faire · flexible · slack · liberal · soft · easygoing · indulgent · hands-off · unregulated
- statusstatus, prestige, ranking, reputation, elite
unenforcedenforced
Made to be followed
policed · monitored · regulated · prosecuted · compelled
unenforcedbinding
Legally or morally required
effective · operative · in force · active · consequential
unenforcedimplemented
Put into effect
applied · executed · operative · effectuated · in force