kingmaker

noun

king·​mak·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce kingmaker (audio)
: one having great influence over the choice of candidates for political office

Examples of kingmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Cynical congressional map dilutes Black voting power to target a kingmaker. Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 15 May 2026 Weinstein was once a Hollywood kingmaker. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 May 2026 And over 33 years, Clyburn – a civil rights activist, party strategist, and political kingmaker – has built his political network one handshake and one hug at a time. Robert Costa, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026 The second, Lorne, attempts to get to know the producer and comedy kingmaker responsible for the institution that is Saturday Night Live. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kingmaker

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingmaker was in 1595

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Cite this Entry

“Kingmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingmaker. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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