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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kahuna
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
But the big kahuna is still to come, as the company finally confirmed that the Supra is officially getting a manual transmission.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 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
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
But the big kahuna is still to come, as the company finally confirmed that the Supra is officially getting a manual transmission.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 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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Poltergeist pairs two Hollywood heavyweights, with Steven Spielberg behind the story and Tobe Hooper in the director's chair — and the result is pure movie magic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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For now, economic heavyweights California and New York are treading water but could easily tip the scales.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Not only did San Diego State graduate its three regular bigs – Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada and Cali Clark – from the Mountain West Tournament champions, point guard and leading scorer Veronica Sheffey transferred through the portal to TCU.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
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All five players will need to be involved, and that is where the bigs enter the conversation.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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If the Rockets go big-heavy often, Reed Sheppard loses some shine.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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The shift to bonds may indicate investors are rebalancing to keep their asset allocations from getting too stock-heavy, Austin said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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All of these prices reflect standard/queen sizes, however, the options in this guide come in king sizes too.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
22 Oct. 2025
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The king’s execution in January 1793 led to civil war throughout much of the nation.—
Time,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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All of these prices reflect standard/queen sizes, however, the options in this guide come in king sizes too.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
22 Oct. 2025
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Like bees, wasps, and other ants, carpenter ants are social and live in a colony with a single queen and thousands of workers.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Both the actor and the Oscar-winning director speak Spanish, which is what del Toro would use to tell him about, for example, the unlikely parties of a mouse and a lion in a risqué situation.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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The departure was recommended by the Lion Species Survival Plan, which guides lion management for many zoos, according to Hardwick.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Forest owner has been pondering his options That is not unusual — the Greek shipping magnate always likes to have a plan B in place.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Another potential Houstonian who has reportedly shown a desire to have an NHL team in Houston is Daniel Friedkin, a car magnate who last year purchased Everton of the English Premier League.—
Mac Engel
October 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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