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

While hardly an enforcer, with just one flagrant foul and no technical fouls over these first two NBA seasons, the toughness continues to win over the locker room. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026

Once soldiers are ordered to act as domestic enforcers, they’ll be viewed like the police — with suspicion and resentment. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026

China ramps up push for party discipline Chinese Communist Party enforcers last year punished nearly a million people as leader Xi Jinping stepped up his corruption crackdown and sought to tighten control. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Gulls forward and team enforcer Travis Howe briefly threw a charge into the home crowd by initiating a third-period scrap with Jacob Mellanson directly in front of the visiting bench. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enforcer

• endorser
• indorser
• coarser
• courser
• reinforcer