noun
Meaning 1
One who enforces.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
enforcer
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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/ɪnˈfɔːsə/
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -ɔː(ɹ)sə(ɹ)
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CMU ARPABET: EH0 N F AO1 R S ER0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
noun
Meaning 2
A hired strongman, especially working for the underworld.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
The member of a group, especially of a gang, charged with keeping dissident members obedient.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
A battering ram used by the emergency services for gaining access to locked premises.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 5
A player who physically intimidates or confronts the opposition.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: Australian rules football
Topics: ball-games, games, hobbies, ice-hockey, lifestyle, rugby, skating, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: policeman
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 6
one whose job it is to execute unpleasant tasks for a superior
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hatchet man
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: assistant, helper, help, supporter
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English enforce Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English enforcer From enforce + -er.
Across languages
Translations
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- French: exécuteur — one who enforces
- French: homme de main — member of a group charged with keeping dissident members obedient
- Hungarian: verőember — member of a group charged with keeping dissident members obedient
- French: dur-à-cuire — ice hockey: player tasked with intimidating or confronting the opposition