as in minion
disapproving
a trusted follower or supporter who performs unpleasant, wrong, or illegal tasks for a powerful person (such as a politician or criminal)
a gangster surrounded by his henchmen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of henchman
Besides being mugged by one of Iza’s henchmen, a brick was thrown through his window and his car was vandalized.
—
Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
His henchmen quickly followed suit.
—Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Over eight episodes, the brothers find themselves at the mercy of Mancuso — a former family friend — and his vicious henchmen, and they are forced to confront the emotional scars of growing up with an alcoholic father, who had gambled away his own restaurant.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
In broad daylight, a presidential henchman openly threatened to inflict financial pain in retribution for speech the leader doesn't like.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for henchman
Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
His henchmen quickly followed suit.
—Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Over eight episodes, the brothers find themselves at the mercy of Mancuso — a former family friend — and his vicious henchmen, and they are forced to confront the emotional scars of growing up with an alcoholic father, who had gambled away his own restaurant.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
In broad daylight, a presidential henchman openly threatened to inflict financial pain in retribution for speech the leader doesn't like.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for henchman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for henchman
Noun
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And dark matter is the invisible minions.—
Dipangkar Dutta,
The Conversation,
15 Dec. 2025
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And this is precisely the danger Kingstown is facing with Merle on the loose and his minions ready to mobilize.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
14 Dec. 2025
Noun
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McDermott, who understands that change is essential to sustained success, is a disciple.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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After Saban's 2024 retirement Alabama chose as his successor Kalen DeBoer, a highly successful coach — but not a Saban disciple.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Fifty years ago, my father was a Vietnamese soldier who fought as an ally to the United States Armed Forces in Vietnam.—
Bao Phi,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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The service has long sought to adopt such standards, but the effort was repeatedly delayed amid broader overhauls of fitness requirements and ongoing debates over how soldiers should be evaluated and how physical demands should be measured across occupations.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Henchman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henchman. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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