henchmen

2 definitions • 2 examples

someone who does unpleasant or illegal things for a powerful person:

Like other dictators, he tried to distance himself from the dirty deeds carried out by his henchmen.

a person who is loyal to and works for someone in a position of authority and is willing to help that person even by hurting others or by committing crimes:

Although the president kept himself above the fray, his henchmen were blaming everyone.