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
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
Ben, flanked by his henchmen, was seen as formidable and dangerous.
—Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Ben, flanked by his henchmen, was seen as formidable and dangerous.
—Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for henchmen
Noun
-
Noem’s minions would defy and frustrate federal judges seeking basic information from DHS about the department’s compliance with court orders.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, marking the institution of Holy Communion and the washing of feet, symbolizing humility and service, according to the Presbyterian Church.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Last Supper with his disciples.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This brings the total to five Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah reignited after the militant group fired rockets into Israel on March 2.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Nineteen people have died in Israel, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Henchmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henchmen. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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