princeling

noun

prince·​ling ˈprin(t)s-liŋ How to pronounce princeling (audio)
: a petty or insignificant prince

Examples of princeling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the antagonist is not so much a professional criminal as a corporate princeling who abuses his wealth and privilege. Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023 If the trial of Bo Xilai, a princeling and former Politburo member in China, had been a TV drama, the closing credits for directing and scripting would have gone to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Communist Party’s secret anti-corruption body. Pin Ho, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2013 The publicity blitz set tongues wagging among princelings. Time, 16 June 2023 While referring to Xi Jinping and other fellow princelings who grew up during the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution, the younger Hu noted that many youth of that period had limited access to books and did little learning. Time, 16 June 2023 Pigeonholing him into 'Man Who Likes Cinderella and Literally Only Cinderella' is disappointing, especially since Dobson imbues the socially awkward princeling with real heart. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2023 With his ascension to Vice President a year later, Xi looked destined for the top job but had to fend off a late challenge from another princeling rival, Bo Xilai, who had built a populist following as the crime-busting boss of the central city of Chongqing. Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Oct. 2022 Will Yun Lee shines as Colonel Moon, a renegade princeling with hovercrafts and rage issues. Darren Franich, EW.com, 23 Nov. 2022 California governor Gavin Newsom is a princeling of progressivism who has ascended to the summit of political power in one of the bluest states in the country, and yet is in real danger of suffering a humiliating defeat. Rich Lowry, National Review, 27 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'princeling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of princeling was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near princeling

Cite this Entry

“Princeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/princeling. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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