kahuna

noun

kə-ˈhü-nə How to pronounce kahuna (audio)
Definition of kahunanext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of kahuna The China tariff deal—not yet done—is the big kahuna in all of this. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025 But EnCharge is entering a competitive field, and among the competitors is the big kahuna, Nvidia. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025 This has to be a big kahuna, among records Swift could break that go back to the very beginning of the album chart. — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2024 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
  1. heavyweight
  2. big
  3. heavy
  4. king
  5. queen
  6. lion
  7. magnate
Noun
  • Once upon a time, Georgia-Florida was an annual heavyweight fight, two proud programs trading punches and championships while their fans traded insults and cocktails in Jacksonville.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Since taking office, Mamdani has named Diya Vij, an arts-organizations veteran, to lead the Department of Cultural Affairs, and assembled a slew of heavyweights to serve on his Committee on Arts and Culture.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • The efforts of Onyeka Okongwu and Lu Dort helped minimize any damage from Wizards bigs Alex Sarr and Deandre Ayton.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The bigs come out a lot to pressure the ball in ball screen coverage.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • Of course, the Nasdaq-100 or a similar tech-heavy index, isn’t guaranteed to deliver 21% returns each year for a decade going forward.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • These days her Halloween costumes are often elaborate and prosthetic-heavy.
    — Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Godzilla Minus Zero is king of the box office in its opening weekend as the sequel feature looks to dominate the frame that also sees the debuts of The Cat in the Hat, Ramayana, Wild Horse Nine and Club Kid.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Americans are up in arms about the much broader graft practiced by much of the political class, not just by its evil faux-king.
    — Larry Wilson, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of king
Noun
  • For another fun twist on ice-queen glam, take a cue from Zara Larsson and pile on the shimmery silver-white shadow accented with rhinestones in lieu of snowflakes, or perhaps a fresh platinum blonde hair color à la Serena Williams.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Every year, Heidi Klum—the undisputed queen of Halloween—keeps spooky season fans guessing as to her next big costume reveal.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of queen
Noun
  • Lewa is teeming with reticulated giraffe, black and white rhino, Grevy’s zebra, leopard, cheetah, and lion, while elephants regularly wander through Sirikoi’s backyard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Here’s hoping the mouse and lion are not the only ones who got it right!
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of lion
Noun
  • The jewels date back to Sofía’s 1962 wedding to the future King Juan Carlos, with the wider suite gifted by Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos and the matching earrings reportedly presented by her mother, Queen Frederica of Greece.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The tour takes guests through the Gilded Age mansion, built in 1904 for furniture magnate Amos Rhodes.
    — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of magnate

Browse Nearby Words

Kafkaesque
kahuna
kahunas
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Cite this Entry

“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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