kingmaker

noun

king·​mak·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌmā-kər 

: one having great influence over the choice of candidates for political office

Examples of kingmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For years, The 50 has been seen as a kingmaker and an opportunity for restaurants and bars worldwide. — Joanna Ossinger, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

New Zealand is set for one of its tightest elections in years, with the incumbent conservative coalition facing an uncertain path to power and polls pointing to a millennial newcomer becoming the kingmaker. — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Lorena Gonzalez, daughter of a Mexican immigrant father and white mother, leads the California Labor Federation, a longtime kingmaker in state politics. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

But their rise as potential kingmakers has brought the complex realities faced by Palestinian Israeli nationals into fresh focus. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kingmaker

• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker
• icebreaker
• lawmaker
• matchmaker
• pacemaker
• partaker
• peacemaker