enforcer

American  

[en-fawr-ser, -fohr-] / ɛnˈfɔr sər, -ˈfoʊr- /

noun

1. a person or thing that enforces.

2. the member of a group, especially of a gang, charged with keeping dissident members obedient.

3. a person, especially a public official, who enforces laws, regulations, rules, or the like.

4. Also called policeman.  Ice Hockey. a physically intimidating or willingly belligerent player who is counted on to retaliate when rough tactics are used by the opposing team.

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Etymology

Origin of enforcer

First recorded in 1570–80; enforce + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

enforcer

At the same time, the federal judge in L.A. who presides over the agreement appears poised to appoint a powerful new enforcer to uphold it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Since its founding in 1999, the Club for Growth has been the primary enforcer of fiscal conservatism in Washington.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

But I don’t think any serious antitrust enforcer who looks at the facts, the law, the economics of this transaction will see an antitrust violation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

SW: Some will say he did not start as many games as Mickael Guillard, who was great as well, but Meafou showed, particularly in the last round, why you need that enforcer in your pack.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

Now Mr. Fitt was a grim man, an enforcer, with a small, sneering mouth; in another life he might have been a carnivorous fish.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Related Words

• assassin
• executioner