1. a person hired to carry out a harsh or unpleasant task, especially firing employees or making unpopular decisions for a company or organization
Usage: informal; often used in business contexts
2. a person who attacks or criticizes someone harshly, especially a political opponent
Usage: informal; often used in political contexts
3. a person skilled with a hatchet or axe
Usage: dated; literal sense

Examples

• The new CEO brought in a hatchetman to restructure the company and cut costs.
• The campaign hired a hatchetman to attack the opponent's record.
• He earned a reputation as a corporate hatchetman for his willingness to make tough decisions.
• The hatchetman was tasked with laying off hundreds of workers.
• Political hatchetmen on both sides prepared their criticisms for the debate.
• In the logging industry, a skilled hatchetman could fell trees with precision.