henchman
Criminal's loyal underling
A henchman is a loyal follower or supporter, especially one who carries out unpleasant or illegal tasks for a powerful person.
The word nearly always appears in negative contexts, suggesting someone who does dirty work without questioning orders.
Villains in fiction typically have henchmen who do their bidding, and the term extends to real-world politics and crime: The mob boss sent his henchmen to collect the debt.
The word implies blind loyalty and a willingness to act as an instrument of someone else's will.
Servile subordinate
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- flunkyServile subordinate
- stoogeEasily manipulated pawn
gofer · peon · vassal · retainer · servant · attendant · follower · yes-man
Violent criminal
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
- bruiserLarge, intimidating fighter
- heavyOf great mass
- muscleContractile body tissue
tough · strongarm · bully · bouncer · bodyguard · legbreaker · intimidator · roughneck
Crime's willing helper
- coconspiratorJoint schemer
- partner-in-crimeShared wrongdoing companion
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
abettor · consigliere · operative · mafioso · mobster · gangster · racketeer · hitman
Opposite of left
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- aideSupporting staff member
- secondUnit smaller than minute
adjutant · partner · collaborator · cohort · crony · ally · associate · wingman
Profound moral wickedness
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- conspiratorOne planning in secret
malefactor · miscreant · wrongdoer · antagonist · fiend · archvillain · supervillain · black-hat
Consistently loyal and true
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
- allegiantLoyal to authority
trustworthy · dedicated · unswerving · reliable · committed · staunch · dependable · unquestioning
minion
Servile subordinate
stooge · gofer · peon · vassal · retainer · servant · attendant · follower · yes-man · toady
thug
Violent criminal
muscle · tough · strongarm · bully · bouncer · bodyguard · legbreaker · intimidator · roughneck · brute
accomplice
Crime's willing helper
- coconspiratorJoint schemer
- partner-in-crimeShared wrongdoing companion
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
accessory · abettor · consigliere · operative · mafioso · mobster · gangster · racketeer · hitman · assassin
right-hand
Opposite of left
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- aideSupporting staff member
second · adjutant · partner · collaborator · cohort · crony · ally · associate · wingman · confidant
evil
Profound moral wickedness
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
conspirator · malefactor · miscreant · wrongdoer · antagonist · fiend · archvillain · supervillain · black-hat · evildoer
faithful
Consistently loyal and true
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
allegiant · trustworthy · dedicated · unswerving · reliable · committed · staunch · dependable · unquestioning · dutiful
- crimerobbery, accomplice, alibi, burglary, conspiracy
- assistantsassistant, helper, aide, aide-de-camp, PA
- character archetypeshero, villain, mentor, sidekick, protagonist
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- lackeyslackey, minion, flunky, underling, gofer
- stock charactersvillain, sidekick, hero, damsel in distress, fool
henchmanmastermind
Scheme's chief planner
boss · leader · kingpin · crime lord · overlord
henchmanhero
One admired for courage
protector · champion · guardian · defender · white knight
henchmanadversary
Enemy in conflict
nemesis · challenger · opponent · antagonist · enemy