as in minions
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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Recent Examples of henchmen
After several unsuccessful ploys by his henchmen to save his life — including one that would be attempted post-hanging — Cardinella was down to one last try.
—
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
That is, until Krypto is poisoned by the henchmen of villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, with only three days to save him.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Researchers argued that career anxiety under autocracy creates both pro-regime henchmen and anti-regime plotters.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The global Jewish community is now an active front in the warfare of the Middle East — the war against the Iranian regime, and the war against its henchmen, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
—Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
House, a Kiwi familiar from various Taika Waititi projects including the recent TV adaptation of Time Bandits, is a constance source of unexpected danger, while Hughes, George Mason and Matuse all get good moments as her variably bumbling henchmen.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
During the ensuing gun battle between soldiers and cartel henchmen, Oseguera escaped.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
With that framing, his followers could demean Black protesters and vilify federal agents and Jews, notably those who linked arms with their Black neighbors to demand equal rights — as the rabbi at Beth Israel had increasingly done before Bowers’ henchmen bombed his synagogue and then his home.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
That is, until Krypto is poisoned by the henchmen of villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, with only three days to save him.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Researchers argued that career anxiety under autocracy creates both pro-regime henchmen and anti-regime plotters.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The global Jewish community is now an active front in the warfare of the Middle East — the war against the Iranian regime, and the war against its henchmen, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
—Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
House, a Kiwi familiar from various Taika Waititi projects including the recent TV adaptation of Time Bandits, is a constance source of unexpected danger, while Hughes, George Mason and Matuse all get good moments as her variably bumbling henchmen.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
During the ensuing gun battle between soldiers and cartel henchmen, Oseguera escaped.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
With that framing, his followers could demean Black protesters and vilify federal agents and Jews, notably those who linked arms with their Black neighbors to demand equal rights — as the rabbi at Beth Israel had increasingly done before Bowers’ henchmen bombed his synagogue and then his home.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for henchmen
Noun
-
Nobody wanted to go there — well, except the oil and gas companies aching to root around for black gold, and their most loyal minions in high places.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Israel is also a part of the ceasefire but was subjected to a last-minute barrage of missile attacks today from Iran and its minions.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just imagine singing along with a club full of other disciples.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In Rome, Leo washed the feet of others, as the story of the Last Supper records Jesus doing for his disciples.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prisoners exchanged Russia's Defense Ministry said that a prisoner swap Saturday brought home 175 of its soldiers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Another work from this era, Veterans Day (2016), features a flow of musical notes that surround a framed newspaper article about the conviction of Muhammad Ali for refusing to fight in the American war in Vietnam and an old photograph of soldiers raising their fists.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Henchmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henchmen. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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