hatchet man

n.	1.	A person hired to murder or physically attack another; a hit man.
	2.	A person who deliberately tries to ruin the reputation of another, often unscrupulously, by slander or other malicious communication, often with a political motive, and sometimes for pay.

Noun	1.	hatchet man - a professional killer Synonyms: iceman
	2.	hatchet man - one whose job it is to execute unpleasant tasks for a superior Synonyms: enforcer

Cain, Thersites, apache, assassin, assassinator, backbiter, battler, belittler, belligerent, belted knight, bickerer, blade, bloodletter, bloodshedder, bravo, brawler, bruiser, bully, bullyboy, burker, butcher, button man, calumniator, cannibal, caustic critic, combatant, competitor, contender, contestant, cutthroat, cynic, debunker, decrier, defamer, deflater, depreciator, derogator, desperado, detractor, disparager, disputant, duelist, enforcer, eradicator, executioner, exterminator, fencer, feuder, fighter, fighting cock, foilsman, gamecock, garroter, gladiator, goon, gorilla, gun, gunman, gunsel, gunslinger, hanger-on, head-hunter, heeler, hellion, henchman, hit man, holy terror, homicidal maniac, homicide, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, jouster, killer, knight, knocker, libeler, man-eater, man-killer, manslayer, massacrer, matador, militant, muckraker, mudslinger, mug, mugger, murderer, muscle man, pesticide, plug-ugly, poison, poisoner, quarreler, railer, rioter, rival, rodman, rough, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian, sabreur, scrapper, scuffler, slanderer, slaughterer, slayer, social critic, squabbler, strangler, strong arm, strong-arm man, strong-armer, struggler, swashbuckler, sword, swordplayer, swordsman, terror, thug, tilter, torpedo, tough, traducer, trigger man, tussler, ugly customer, ward heeler, wrangler