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

Pitera was a mob enforcer for the Bonanno crime family and was suspected of 60 murders prior to his 1992 incarceration. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

The European Commission — which serves as the EU's antitrust enforcer — said that even with a Paramount-Warner combo, enough competitors would exist across markets like film production and streaming in its 27-nation bloc. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

So far, antitrust enforcers in over a dozen countries have cleared the deal. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Federal and state regulators are key enforcers of parity rules. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enforcer

• endorser
• indorser
• coarser
• courser
• reinforcer