enforcer

noun

Definition of enforcernext
1
as in disciplinarian

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2
as in thug

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of enforcer Naomi Watts stars as a midwife who uncovers a Russian prostitution ring that draws in the son of the godfather, played by Vincent Cassel, and an enforcer, played by Viggo Mortensen, in one of his best screen performances. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026 Connor Clattenburg is a throwback player who can play agitator and enforcer and chip in with goals. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Schweihs, who according to authorities spent decades as a reputed enforcer for the mob’s Grand Avenue street crew, died of cancer in 2008 while awaiting trial. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Breakout gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry is continuing to add to its season two cast, with Daniel Diemer set to play Ryan Price, a tough guy enforcer battling anxiety off the ice. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enforcer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enforcer
  1. disciplinarian
  2. thug
  3. taskmaster
  4. gangster
  5. dictator
  6. mobster
  7. tyrant
  8. racketeer
Noun
  • During his time with the Yankees, Mendoza was known as a disciplinarian behind the scenes, but the team loved and respected his hard coaching.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • You are asked to be teachers, counselors, social workers, disciplinarians, mentors, advocates, crisis managers and emotional anchors for children navigating an increasingly complicated world.
    — Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Definition of disciplinarian
Noun
  • These low-level thugs typically are not believed to be formally aligned with Iran.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Borisov, who broke through as a thug with a poet’s soul in the 2024 Anora, vests Ilya with the same spiritual contours.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of thug
Noun
  • Also known as the planet of structure, discipline and limitations, the taskmaster’s journey through Aries creates friction between our instincts and restraint.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
  • She is thrown into isolation before getting the opportunity to once again assimilate, Marc is a genuine taskmaster, but a dedicated defender publicly and to the cops about the legitimacy of his operation and its residents.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Definition of taskmaster
Noun
  • New owners Jeremy Fall and Sean Maloney plan to preserve its historic character — and the booth gangster Mickey Cohen preferred — while adding dishes such as fresh ravioli and prime rib frites.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, Hollywood actor Danny Trejo’s bread and butter was playing gangsters, prison inmates and other assorted criminals.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of gangster
Noun
  • Ali Abdullah Saleh, the longtime dictator of Yemen, was overthrown during the Arab Spring and the Houthis were able to seize a large chunk of territory.
    — Ariana Aspuru, Vox, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Without principle, without a moral compass, with no checks and balances, our would-be-dictator is an embarrassing stain on the soul of a once-proud America.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of dictator
Noun
  • That first role led to films like Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon and 1983’s Scarface, playing the Cuban mobster Tony Montana.
    — Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But Rankin mentions a Japanese mobster who was asked what the arrival of overseas competitors meant for the ancient codes of yakuza chivalry.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of mobster
Noun
  • Plato warned that an unhealthy democracy can easily fall prey to a tyrant.
    — Kenneth Michael White, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Some of the rumors, and a few of the reports at the time, paint Khrzhanovsky as a tyrant who went mad with power, like Colonel Kurtz in Heart of Darkness (or maybe Francis Ford Coppola making Apocalypse Now).
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of tyrant
Noun
  • Rankin singles out the remarkable career of Sakai Eizo, a racketeer who founded the Great Japanese Order of Righteousness.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, entrusting waste management to gangsters and racketeers has repercussions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 July 2026
Definition of racketeer

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enforced
enforcer
enforcers
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Cite this Entry

“Enforcer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enforcer. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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