kingmaker

noun

king·​mak·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce kingmaker (audio)
: one having great influence over the choice of candidates for political office

Examples of kingmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Put simply, Smith isn't giving up his role as kingmaker to share a platform with Bayless. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026 But instead of playing kingmaker, the lame-duck governor has refused to get behind a candidate to succeed him. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Weinstein was once a Hollywood kingmaker. — Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 May 2026 Cynical congressional map dilutes Black voting power to target a kingmaker. — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for kingmaker

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingmaker was in 1595

Rhymes for kingmaker

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Browse Nearby Words

king mackerel
kingmaker
Kingman
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Cite this Entry

“Kingmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingmaker. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kingmaker

Nglish: Translation of kingmaker for Spanish Speakers

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