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

Antitrust enforcers have struggled to apply decades-old laws to new technologies such as RealPage’s rent-setting software, which have changed the way competitors interact with one another and with customers. —Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 16 Nov. 2023

Besides nominating key enforcers with a history of antagonism toward Silicon Valley, the White House has taken scant action on tech issues. —Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023

According to Sports Illustrated, a mob enforcer crushed two of McLain’s toes to force him to pay on a horse racing bet. —Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2023

The show is a bit of a buddy comedy between Danny and Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), a former NFL player who now serves as Danny’s enforcer. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023

Ameen now worked for the Palestinian Preventive Security Organization, which acted as Israel’s enforcer in the urban centers of the West Bank. —Nathan Thrall, Curbed, 25 Oct. 2023

Tio, a fan-favorite character, was a former cartel enforcer who communicated using a brass bell attached to his wheelchair. —Marianne Garvey, CNN, 4 Aug. 2023

New York City’s rat enforcers have encountered similar setbacks. —Madeleine Schwartz, The New York Review of Books, 27 July 2023

Principals and coaches are expected to be the enforcers. —John Hanna, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1