Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun hatchet_man

2 senses of hatchet man

Sense 1
hatchet man, iceman -- (a professional killer)
       => murderer, liquidator, manslayer -- (a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being))

Sense 2
hatchet man, enforcer -- (one whose job it is to execute unpleasant tasks for a superior)
       => assistant, helper, help, supporter -- (a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work")