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enforcer

enforcer

10 4.3
A person who makes sure people follow rules or laws
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈfɔrsər/
translation icon : encargado de hacer cumplir
  • The US government, as the enforcer of business regulations and taxes, represents the money changers' worldly temple.
  • law enforcer
  • environmental enforcers
  • primary enforcers

You're, you're saying that you will become an educator, possibly also an enforcer.

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Examples

  • Russia's Council of Muftis has praised the law enforcers' efforts in providing security in the country.

    Blog text (1)
  • Why not send the enforcers?

  • An enforcer makes good money, and the hours are pretty good, too.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Government is supposed to be the enforcer of the average person's desire via votes.

    Blog text (34)
  • You have a law, then you have an enforcer, and then you have an arbiter.

  • In a dozen villages, league enthusiasts have made themselves into enforcers of order and providers of service.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Customs officers are the primary enforcers of the Pre-Columbian Act of 1972 and its regulations.

    Academic text (2016)
  • You become an enforcer of the laws of this school, because today's litterer and jaywalker is tomorrow's window breaker and graffiti vandal, and it's our job to stop it.

  • As an enforcer of the law, the officer ensured that everyone followed the regulations in the city.

  • Environmental groups often need an enforcer to make sure that companies comply with legal protections.

Synonyms

official
vsenforcer
3.7

A person who works for a government or organization and has power to make and enforce rules

specifically denotes the active job of making rules be obeyed
police officer
vsenforcer
560 1.1

A person who keeps people safe and stops crime

is more general and includes nonpolice rule enforcement roles
marshal
vsenforcer
  • Formal
77 6.7

An official who makes sure people follow court orders

covers any person tasked with ensuring rules or laws are followed
monitor
vsenforcer
75 3.2

A person who watches others to make sure they follow rules

is the general term for someone whose job is rule enforcement
bailiff
vsenforcer
  • Specialized
53 7.2

A court officer who delivers legal papers and keeps order in court

applies more widely to enforcing rules outside court contexts
lawman
vsenforcer
  • US
28 6.5

A man who works to enforce the law, like a sheriff or police officer

is the neutral job term for anyone who makes rules obeyed
disciplinarian
vsenforcer
11 6.6

A person who makes others follow strict rules

is neutral about tone and simply ensures rules or laws are obeyed
peace officer
vsenforcer
  • Formal
9 3.5

A person who has legal power to make people follow the law, like a police officer or sheriff

is less formal and can mean anyone ensuring rules are obeyed
peacekeeper
vsenforcer
6 4.1

A person who stops or calms arguments and makes people get along

focuses more on rule enforcement as a job rather than mediation
law officer
vsenforcer
5 2.2

A person who makes sure people follow the law, like a police officer or sheriff

is a broader role that applies to anyone ensuring rules are followed
football official
vsenforcer
1 3.0

A person who makes sure players follow the rules in a football game

is a general enforcement role beyond a single sport or context
enactor
vsenforcer
  • Formal
7.3

A person or group that puts laws and policies into action

focuses on enforcing compliance rather than implementing new rules
sanctioner
vsenforcer
  • Formal
7.3

An authority that approves actions or imposes penalties

centers on the active task of ensuring rules or laws are obeyed

Antonyms

19 5.1

A person who breaks a law or other rule

How Forceful

strongman
  • Literature
8 7.4
enforcer
10 4.3
police officer
560 1.1
bailiff
  • Specialized
53 7.2
inspector
254 2.9
observer
305 2.8

Surface Forms

enforcer singular
enforcers plural

Morphology

enforcer = enforce (transparent) = enforce + er

The agentive suffix '-er' is added to the verb 'enforce' to denote a person who enforces, a straightforward and regular derivation.

Etymology

Enforcer comes from the verb enforce, where en- means 'in' and force means 'power' or 'strength'. So an enforcer is someone who 'puts force into' a rule and makes sure that rules are followed.