enforcer

[en-fawr-ser, -fohr-]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of enforcer¹

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

Example Sentences

In the second half of his term, enforcers focused more on monopolization cases.

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As ChatGPT marks its third anniversary, it offers a simple lesson to enforcers and courts alike: In technology markets, the most powerful check on monopoly is often the next invention.

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Companies have been accused of fixing prices through agreements among executives, but antitrust enforcers said consultants such as RealPage can also effectively enable that conduct.

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Soon after the Israelis left, the regime’s religious leadership largely outsourced water issues to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the regime’s ideological enforcers.

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It is becoming the “enforcer” of the party leadership.

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Related Words

• assassin 
• executioner