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

Fuentes enjoyed a brief flare of mainstream publicity last year, culminating in a fawning interview with former Republican kingmaker and broadcaster Tucker Carlson. — Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Kendrick Meek, grandson of the late congresswoman Carrie Meek, received the endorsement from South Carolina representative Jim Clyburn, considered a kingmaker in elections. — Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

All the candidates were backed by New York City’s socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who is a protégé of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the new kingmaker in the party. — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 June 2026

Avila Chevalier was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a fellow democratic socialist who was a kingmaker on Tuesday night, with all three of his progressive picks winning their races. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 24 June 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