as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
a big kahuna at a Hollywood talent agency, he's got the fancy car to prove it
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Recent Examples of kahuna
The big kahuna, Photoshop itself, costs a minimum of $9.99 per month, but that subscription also includes Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and 20GB of cloud storage.
—
PCMAG, 10 May 2024
Today may not be your actual filing deadline: Yes, April 15 is the big kahuna of tax-filing deadlines for most people.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The ISM Manufacturing Index kicks things off today with plenty of more data over the coming days, anchored by the big kahuna, Friday’s employment situation report for July.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022
As an inside joke, Keōua’s kahuna, whose tongue Ka’iana rips out of his mouth in front of Keōua during the hectic battle, is played by Kahoʻokahi Kanuha, Momoa’s ʻŌlelo Hawai’i coach.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for kahuna
PCMAG, 10 May 2024
Today may not be your actual filing deadline: Yes, April 15 is the big kahuna of tax-filing deadlines for most people.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The ISM Manufacturing Index kicks things off today with plenty of more data over the coming days, anchored by the big kahuna, Friday’s employment situation report for July.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022
As an inside joke, Keōua’s kahuna, whose tongue Ka’iana rips out of his mouth in front of Keōua during the hectic battle, is played by Kahoʻokahi Kanuha, Momoa’s ʻŌlelo Hawai’i coach.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for kahuna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kahuna
Noun
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During a panel hosted by sustainability moderator Merle Becker, industry heavyweights explored how the sector’s transformation—from artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to sustainable materials and digital development processes—is becoming a strategic resource.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Jan. 2026
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But taken together, the records illustrate how major corporate leaders, organized labor, donors and political heavyweights have enjoyed direct access to the governor during a year of consequential policy turns — even as some of the most outspoken public-interest advocates were left out of the room.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The arrangement, a multiyear partnership between two of tech’s biggest bigs, buys Apple more time to get its AI house in order and expands Google’s AI footprint across the global mobile device landscape.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Sochan has experience defending bigger initiators like Cunningham as well as bigger scoring wings and is also a sharp cutter on offense who has a strong sense of how to play off bigs who can pass and space the court.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Dark Ages gave us an extremely metal prequel that — while a bit too lore and cutscene-heavy — presented more surprising tricks and gameplay refreshes to keep the long-running FPS series alive and kicking butt.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
26 Dec. 2025
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However, a combination of tariffs, inflation and narrow GDP growth kept the tech-heavy S & P 500 in the lead over the Russell 2000.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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For centuries, the kings and queens of the Netherlands have been buried in the church, beginning with William of Orange in 1584.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cate Blanchett is the queen of a relaxed, textured bob.—
Catharine Malzahn,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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In some species, ants restructure their nests to slow the transmission of a lethal fungus and in others, ant queens eat infected brood to prevent the spread of disease and recover nutrients.—
Arundathi Nair,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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One slide notes that homosexuality is found in more than 1,500 species of animals, and includes photos of fish, bugs and lions.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham, The Rainmaker follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan), who is fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend, Sarah (Madison Iseman).—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Singer island is so named after Paris Singer, a descendant of the Singer Sewing Machine magnate, who began developing the Palm Beach coastline into a national luxury destination in the 1920s.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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O’Leary isn’t the only nonprofessional in Marty Supreme’s sprawling cast, which includes rapper Tyler the Creator, real-life table-tennis champion Koto Kawaguchi, filmmaker Abel Ferrara, and supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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