kahuna

noun

kə-ˈhü-nə How to pronounce kahuna (audio)
Definition of kahunanext
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group a big kahuna at a Hollywood talent agency, he's got the fancy car to prove it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of kahuna The China tariff deal—not yet done—is the big kahuna in all of this. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025 But EnCharge is entering a competitive field, and among the competitors is the big kahuna, Nvidia. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025 This has to be a big kahuna, among records Swift could break that go back to the very beginning of the album chart. — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2024 As an inside joke, Keōua’s kahuna, whose tongue Ka’iana rips out of his mouth in front of Keōua during the hectic battle, is played by Kahoʻokahi Kanuha, Momoa’s ʻŌlelo Hawai’i coach. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for kahuna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kahuna
  1. heavyweight
  2. big
  3. heavy
  4. king
  5. queen
  6. lion
  7. magnate
Noun
  • The tech sector’s influence is also capable of quickly switching over to a heavyweight.
    — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The two acting heavyweights had never worked together until these two shows.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • Shooters have thrived in Campbell’s spacing due to how much attention point guards and bigs generate off the pick-and-roll.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Go rebound the basketball, go protect the rim, be a big big for us.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • Of course, the Nasdaq-100 or a similar tech-heavy index, isn’t guaranteed to deliver 21% returns each year for a decade going forward.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • These days her Halloween costumes are often elaborate and prosthetic-heavy.
    — Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Crowning yourself king of the hyper-SUV world requires more than just a legendary badge.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The coast could be particularly hammered if the exceptionally high king tides coincide with strong winter storms.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of king
Noun
  • The supermodel is the queen of Halloween, offering up intricate, memorable costumes year after year.
    — Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The main suite featured a king bed and a queen sofa bed that could accommodate up to four in total, plus a small seating area and a private bathroom with a toilet, sink, and pull-chain shower.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of queen
Noun
  • The couple was involved in transactions that saw American black bear gallbladders and cougar bones being smuggled into Vietnam, as well as black and white rhinoceros horns, lion teeth and a tiger pelt being illegally imported to Oregon.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In the bankruptcy, seven sea lions were donated to Sea Lion Splash.
    — Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of lion
Noun
  • The company was founded by the late industrial magnate Miguel Facussé, whose daughter Pérez later married.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • At some point in the last few days, Henry (Hudson Williams), the spoiled 22-year-old scion of a fish processing magnate, has disappeared from his giant mansion perched at the edge of a Canadian island.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of magnate

Browse Nearby Words

Kafkaesque
kahuna
kahunas
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Cite this Entry

“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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