noun
enforcer
ihn-FAW-suh
noun
1
A person or group responsible for making sure rules or laws are obeyed.
"The agency acts as the enforcer of workplace safety standards."
2
Someone hired, often by criminal groups, to intimidate or use force on others.
"The gang's enforcer was known for collecting debts by threats."
3
In some sports, a player whose role is to physically intimidate the opposing team.
"The hockey team's enforcer dropped his gloves after the hard hit."
How to Use Enforcer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is to make sure rules are followed — sometimes through legitimate authority, sometimes through intimidation.
Common pairings
hired enforcer
the team's enforcer
Word Forms
enforcers plural
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The agency acts as the _____ of workplace safety standards.
Etymology
From enforce plus the agent-forming suffix -er.