enforcer

noun

en·​forc·​er in-ˈfȯr-sər How to pronounce enforcer (audio)
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
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Dutton-family enforcer Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) opened a cooler with an agitated rattlesnake onto the unsuspecting Roarke, who was bitten in the face and dramatically died from the venom. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2025 Earlier this year, Trump’s top enforcer on border issues, Tom Homan, suggested the Pope was a hypocrite. Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Apr. 2025 Trump’s inner circle has voiced support for the previous administration’s antitrust crackdown, with Vice President J.D. Vance openly praising the work of the Federal Trade Commission under Lina Khan, and merger enforcers haven’t abandoned their bids to split giant tech companies. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025 The deal, which values Cox at roughly $34.5 billion, presents a test for President Trump’s antitrust enforcers. Michael J. De La Merced, New York Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enforcer

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enforcer was in 1580

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Cite this Entry

“Enforcer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforcer. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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