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

Helgeland wrote and directs Outside Man, which follows former Chicago mob enforcer Ruben Bowman (Ice Cube). — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Her profile has been high the past two seasons, however, as the enforcer for superstar Fever teammate Caitlin Clark. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Anderson also reached American audiences on screen, playing Ironbar, enforcer to Tina Turner’s Aunty Entity, opposite Mel Gibson in 1985’s Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026

If our states’ top law enforcers do not fight this unlawful merger and reject this weak and unenforceable consent decree, who will? — Abigail Disney, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enforcer

• endorser
• indorser
• coarser
• courser
• reinforcer