as in minions
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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Recent Examples of henchmen
Key witnesses in the government’s case included Spann’s top henchmen, who cooperated with prosecutors in hopes for leniency.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
This is potentially disastrous, given that Josh is now in the custody of the chairwoman’s henchmen.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
The franchise began with Despicable Me, which introduced Steve Carell as Gru, a supervillain accompanied by small, yellow, gibberish-speaking henchmen known as the Minions.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Researchers argued that career anxiety under autocracy creates both pro-regime henchmen and anti-regime plotters.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The global Jewish community is now an active front in the warfare of the Middle East — the war against the Iranian regime, and the war against its henchmen, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
—Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
House, a Kiwi familiar from various Taika Waititi projects including the recent TV adaptation of Time Bandits, is a constance source of unexpected danger, while Hughes, George Mason and Matuse all get good moments as her variably bumbling henchmen.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
During the ensuing gun battle between soldiers and cartel henchmen, Oseguera escaped.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
This is potentially disastrous, given that Josh is now in the custody of the chairwoman’s henchmen.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
The franchise began with Despicable Me, which introduced Steve Carell as Gru, a supervillain accompanied by small, yellow, gibberish-speaking henchmen known as the Minions.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Researchers argued that career anxiety under autocracy creates both pro-regime henchmen and anti-regime plotters.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The global Jewish community is now an active front in the warfare of the Middle East — the war against the Iranian regime, and the war against its henchmen, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
—Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
House, a Kiwi familiar from various Taika Waititi projects including the recent TV adaptation of Time Bandits, is a constance source of unexpected danger, while Hughes, George Mason and Matuse all get good moments as her variably bumbling henchmen.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
During the ensuing gun battle between soldiers and cartel henchmen, Oseguera escaped.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for henchmen
Noun
-
There’s a steadiness to Tung/Wonder Woman that stands out for its quiet authority in a frequently goofy landscape peppered with poisonous robes and finger-eating minions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Nobody wanted to go there — well, except the oil and gas companies aching to root around for black gold, and their most loyal minions in high places.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just imagine singing along with a club full of other disciples.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In Rome, Leo washed the feet of others, as the story of the Last Supper records Jesus doing for his disciples.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nataliia had gone to the bus station, where soldiers were spraying foam to contain the nuclear fallout, and to the hospital, where men in white coats were unloading victims on stretchers from the backs of ambulances.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Henchmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/henchmen. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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