enforcer

noun

en·​forc·​er in-ˈfȯr-sər 

en-

1

: one that enforces

2

a

: a violent criminal employed by a crime syndicate

especially : hit man sense 1

b

: a player (as in ice hockey) known for rough play and fighting

Examples of enforcer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nicolás Maduro and his enforcers are running a criminal narco-terrorist dictatorship that jails political opponents, tortures dissidents, and crushes any hope of free expression. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025

Those other states could join forces to reaffirm the prohibition on territorial conquest without relying on the United States as its chief enforcer. —Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

The media should be focusing on why Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforcers are being attacked. —Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025

The Republican leader pledged to carry out large-scale mass deportations and recently ordered his immigration enforcers to ramp up arrests in Democratic-run cities. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enforcer

• endorser
• indorser
• coarser
• courser
• reinforcer