tycoon

noun

ty·​coon tī-ˈkün How to pronounce tycoon (audio)
Synonyms of tycoon
1
a
: a businessperson of exceptional wealth, power, and influence : magnate
b
: a top leader (as in politics)
2
: shogun

Synonyms of tycoon

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Examples of tycoon in a Sentence

an oil tycoon who's widely considered the most powerful man in the county
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.
Trump was a real estate tycoon and a fixture in the tabloids. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 Three of Paxton’s billionaire backers were Texas-native tycoons with a history of funding right-wing candidates in the state, one of whom died after his donation. — Andrew Balaban, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 The intensely private Korean shipping tycoon rocked the tanker industry early this year as his Sinokor Group embarked on an unprecedented buying spree. — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026 The main suspect in a bomb attack that wounded a Ukrainian tycoon on Monday in Monaco is a Ukrainian woman who disguised herself as a man, local authorities say. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tycoon

Word History

Etymology

Japanese taikun

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tycoon was in 1857

Rhymes for tycoon

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Browse Nearby Words

Tychy
tycoon
tydden
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

tycoon

noun
ty·​coon tī-ˈkün How to pronounce tycoon (audio)
: a very wealthy and powerful business person
Etymology

Japanese taikun "shogun"

More from Merriam-Webster on tycoon

Nglish: Translation of tycoon for Spanish Speakers

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