If you refer to someone as another person's henchman, you mean that they work for or support the other person, especially by doing unpleasant, violent, or dishonest things on their behalf.
[disapproval]
Synonyms: attendant, supporter, heavy [slang], associate More Synonyms of henchman
henchman in British English
(ˈhɛntʃmən)
nounWord forms: plural-men
1.
a faithful attendant or supporter
2. archaic
a squire; page
Word origin
C14: hengestman, from Old English hengest stallion + man; related to Old Norse hestr horse, Old High German hengist gelding
henchman in American English
(ˈhɛntʃmən)
nounWord forms: pluralˈhenchmen (ˈhɛntʃmən)
1. Obsolete
a male attendant; page or squire
2.
a trusted helper or follower
3. US
a political underling who seeks mainly to advance his own interests
4. US
any of the followers of a criminal gang leader
Word origin
ME henxtman, hencheman < OE hengest, stallion (see Hengist) + -man: orig. sense prob. “horse attendant”
Examples of 'henchman' in a sentence
henchman
Do you protect your hotel with two or three henchmen?
The Sun (2009)
He was escorted by two henchmen.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Earlier this year it was announced that cops had reopened an investigation into the murder and disappearance of two of his closest henchmen.
The Sun (2011)
Now the former Downing Street henchman has set out a clear policy on household chores.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
When he gets too much in character, as it were, his two henchmen are on hand to restrain him.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
(noun)
Definition
a person employed by someone powerful to carry out orders
the Sheriff's henchman, Sir Guy of Gisborne
Synonyms
attendant
He was working as a car-park attendant.
supporter
a major supporter of the tax reform plan
heavy (slang)
associate
aide
a close aide to the prime minister
follower
the ringleader and his two thuggish followers
subordinate
Her subordinates respected her.
bodyguard
minder (slang)
crony
his weekend drinking sessions with his cronies
sidekick (slang)
cohort mainly US)
Drake and his cohorts were not pleased at my promotion.
right-hand man or woman or person
minion
She delegated the job to one of her minions.
satellite
myrmidon
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aide
Definition
an assistant
a close aide to the prime minister
Synonyms
assistant,
supporter,
deputy,
attendant,
helper,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
right-hand man or woman or person,
adjutant,
second,
helpmate,
coadjutor (rare)
in the sense of cohort
Drake and his cohorts were not pleased at my promotion.
Synonyms
supporter,
partner,
associate,
mate,
assistant,
follower,
comrade,
protagonist,
accomplice,
sidekick (slang),
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
myrmidon
in the sense of crony
Definition
a close friend
his weekend drinking sessions with his cronies
Synonyms
friend,
china (British, slang),
colleague,
associate,
mate (informal),
pal (informal),
companion,
gossip (archaic),
cock (British, informal),
buddy (informal),
comrade,
chum (informal),
accomplice,
ally,
sidekick (slang),
or blud">blood or blud (British, slang),
main man (slang, US),
homeboy (slang, US),
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal)