Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

enforcer

noun
Save Word
en·​forc·​er | \ in-ˈfȯr-sər How to pronounce enforcer (audio) , en- \

Definition of enforcer

1 : one that enforces
2a : a violent criminal employed by a crime syndicate especially : hit man sense 1
b : player (as in ice hockey) known for rough play and fighting

Examples of enforcer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Clark, a Republican, had been described by federal prosecutors as the enforcer for Householder, strong-arming supporters and providing fundraising expertise. — Star Tribune, "Lobbyist named in $60M Ohio bribery probe is found dead," 16 Mar. 2021 At least three former San Antonio federal prosecutors are looking to fill the post of the top federal law enforcer for a huge swath of Central and West Texas. — Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Former San Antonio federal prosecutors among names who want U.S. attorney post," 15 Feb. 2021 During Mario Cuomo’s governorship, his son was known as the enforcer. — New York Times, "The Imperious Rise and Accelerating Fall of Andrew Cuomo," 13 Mar. 2021 Andrew Cuomo terrorized Albany in the 1980s as the enforcer for his cerebral father, Mario, who spent three terms as New York governor. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, "The Cult of the Thuggish Democratic Politician," 4 Mar. 2021 Percoco was Cuomo’s enforcer and, in 2018, was found guilty of bribery and fraud, as well as threatening senior members of government. — Nicholas Rowan, Washington Examiner, "Five of Andrew Cuomo's other biggest scandals," 13 Mar. 2021 Bon becomes an enforcer while Vo Danh mostly scrubs the restaurant’s awful toilet. — New York Times, "His Debut Novel Won the Pulitzer. Now It Has an Action-Packed Sequel.," 26 Feb. 2021 Cousins is now more an enforcer than a productive post presence. — Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, "Jayson Tatum growing his brand, but he wants team success first," 27 Feb. 2021 During her previous stint at USTR from 2007 to 2014, Ms. Tai served as its chief enforcer against China. — Yuka Hayashi, WSJ, "Biden Trade Nominee Seeks Solution for Boeing-Airbus Dispute," 25 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enforcer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of enforcer

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about enforcer

Time Traveler for enforcer

Time Traveler

The first known use of enforcer was in 1580

See more words from the same year

Statistics for enforcer

Last Updated

10 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Enforcer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforcer. Accessed 16 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More from Merriam-Webster on enforcer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for enforcer

Nglish: Translation of enforcer for Spanish Speakers

Comments on enforcer

What made you want to look up enforcer? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

lodestone

Listen to the pronunciation of lodestone

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

  • one green toy robot amidst many red toy robots
  • Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games