kingpin

noun

ˈkiŋ-ˌpin How to pronounce kingpin (audio)
Definition of kingpinnext
1
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group a police sting that nabbed several kingpins of the city's drug trade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do finally nailed the mob kingpin who had been controlling all the gambling rackets in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 kingpin The series has focused on criminal kingpin Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) becoming mayor of New York and then targeting Daredevil and other vigilantes who are in his way. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026 The Volunteers have been the kingpin of Arlington ISD football the last two seasons, but several squads like Lamar, Arlington Martin and Arlington seem to have made solid offseason progress. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 Sunday treats us to Chalk It Up regulars and bouncing local rock kingpins the Brodys, flanked by Asesinos, Rose Lyon, Sol Peligro and Leaping Blennies. — Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Beneath his smooth and calm outward behavior, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) is a calculated drug kingpin who will stop at nothing to stay on top. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
  1. heavyweight
  2. leader
  3. heavy
  4. boss
  5. big
  6. foreman
  7. magnate
  8. master
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
  • The attack ads that exaggerate and lie about their opponents, without mentioning their myopic support for their dear leader whose baggage has destroyed America’s standing in the world, are astounding.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As economic worries grow, Newsom’s popularity dips Governor Newsom’s favorability ratings have dipped in the last months of his eight-year tenure as state leader.
    — Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of leader
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
  • Pullin’s sudden resignation will not lead to equally sudden departures of the football coach or AD, but their respective futures will be impacted by his exit as they will both be evaluated by their old new boss.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Former SquareOne Entertainment boss Munteanu created the series and is unveiling a first look (above) today during his keynote at MIA in Rome.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of boss
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
  • Rooms in the back of the second and third floors had mahogany window frames that peered into the main space, allowing a foreman to supervise workers.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Nepal Electricity Authority named the two men who were rescued alive as 30-year-old Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman from Saptari district in eastern Nepal, and Kabir Maharjan, 45, a mechanical supervisor from Kathmandu.
    — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of foreman
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
Noun
  • No one gets out of this world without becoming a master of the art of losing, to invoke the poet Elizabeth Bishop.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Supporting this remarkable local treasure offers a rare chance to experience authentic culinary artistry from a true master.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of master

Browse Nearby Words

kingly
kingpin
kingpins
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Cite this Entry

“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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