henchman

noun

Definition of henchmannext
as in minion
disapproving a trusted follower or supporter who performs unpleasant, wrong, or illegal tasks for a powerful person (such as a politician or criminal) a gangster surrounded by his henchmen

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of henchman The last of Lila and Amisha’s henchmen has fled with the remaining supply of poison aerosol, intending to detonate it, on Amisha’s orders, at a nightclub. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026 After crash landing on the dark world directly onto the homing beacon, EO and his crazy crew are apprehended by a gang of warrior henchmen and hauled into the throne room to face the wicked alien ruler who is imprisoned in anger and hate. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026 The henchmen are tying up loose ends after eliminating Kerry’s father, who informed on the Gotham crew to avoid serving his prison sentence. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026 One of the senior henchmen of right-wing Christian politics saw this dangerous transformation unfolding from the inside. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for henchman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for henchman
  1. minion
  2. disciple
  3. soldier
Noun
  • There are references to demons, being burned alive, and the duende king explicitly commands his minions to kill Jo and Raissa.
    — Parents, Parents, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Musashi becomes part of a crew that fights the Genma and Yoshitsune’s minions.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of minion
Noun
  • In particular, Greek mathematician-philosopher Pythagoras and his disciples may have associated beans with reincarnation, so some thought eating them was technically an act of cannibalism.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples take part in those pilgrimages.
    — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disciple
Noun
  • The soldiers fired tear gas at the Palestinians, not the settlers, multiple witnesses said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The program also aims to make the systems easier for soldiers to operate, potentially allowing units outside traditional air defence formations to employ laser weapons against incoming drones.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of soldier

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Cite this Entry

“Henchman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henchman. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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