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 Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, a drug kingpin recently released from prison who looks to monopolize power by targeting his enemies. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 In the novel, Maciel, who started his career in Nicaro, Cuba, the island nation’s most significant nickel-mining town, is the lead witness against a cartel kingpin. — Helen Acevedo, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026 The life-and-death stakes were raised when the former high school series jumped five years to show a now-young adult Rue becoming a drug mule and working for rival kingpins (Martha Kelly’s Laurie also took her own life in the finale). — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 From working as a drug mule to pay off her debts to dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly) to now working for crime kingpin/strip club owner Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Rue has been living on the edge. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 May 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 much-ballyhooed heavyweight boxing match between Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota ends abruptly when Golota quits after the second round; later Golota is hospitalized with a concussion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026
  • Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics fell almost 7% on Tuesday as concerns about spending and demand overshadowed a massive increase in the company’s second-quarter operating profit.
    — Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • In the weeks since Fable 5 and Mythos 5 were forced out of commission, industry leaders and experts became increasingly worried that the ad-hoc ban would threaten America’s AI lead against China.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
    — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of leader
Noun
  • Geoffrey Lechantoux is responsible for the French-seafood-heavy menu.
    — Nancy Kane, Curbed, 25 June 2026
  • Most standard blends are nitrogen-heavy, which encourages leaf growth instead of fruit.
    — Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 20 June 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Among those courtside include members of the NBA champ New York Knicks; Kelce’s Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, other teammates and coaches; ex-Disney boss Bob Iger and spouse Willow Bay; and current Disney powerhouse Dana Walden.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • And ordering wine even when the boss hasn’t is exactly that—showing bold initiative.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • Robinson will be a far tougher test for Embiid and the East’s other bigs.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • For the past few weeks, the Valkyries’ first-ever All-Star has been anchoring Golden State’s defense in critical moments, guarding opposing bigs and sacrificing offensive opportunities for the sake of scheme.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • Hauser played hardened ranch foreman Rip Wheeler on the Paramount Network series that ran from 2018 to 2024.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • Beth, the daughter of the late John Dutton (Kevin Costner), and Rip, the Dutton ranch’s longtime foreman and fixer, have become one of TV's most beloved and volatile couples.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Definition of foreman
Noun
  • The ruins of Dungeness, a 59-room, 37,000-square-foot estate house dating to the mid-1880s, once owned by Thomas Carnegie, brother and business partner of Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.
    — Jennifer Peebles, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
  • The 78-year-old Lai, a former clothing magnate and publisher of a Hong Kong tabloid critical of Beijing, received a 20-year sentence in February.
    — Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of magnate
Noun
  • While theology and ministry studies were designated as nonprofessional, the master of divinity degree often pursued by eventual pastors or ministers does retain professional status.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • In one mega master in San Antonio, Texas, out of the 175 cases ordered to appear before a judge one morning, about 40 people didn’t show up, said attorney Jessica Smith Bobadilla.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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