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
The Rebate Project, though, is the big kahuna.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2021
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
The Rebate Project, though, is the big kahuna.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for kahuna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kahuna
Noun
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Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar led the legal comedy alongside several TV heavyweights.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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And this is a classic 'High Noon' toe-to-toe showdown-at-the-corral heavyweight fight.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That changes the spacing for the bigs, who have to work in tighter confines without Cunningham and eventually Clark pulling defenders out of the paint.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
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Waiving Bradley without seeing how healthy those two bigs are would be irresponsible.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Previously home to a long-standing restaurant called Andiamo, the space had a dark, wood-heavy aesthetic.—
Amanda Lauren,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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That something special largely comes from a heavy, spitting topspin forehand that dovetails with an aggressive backhand slice — the result of Tjen growing up idolizing three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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According to thousands of shoppers, the Becky Cameron Sheet Set, which comes in 19 colors and is available in sizes ranging from twin to California king, is an ideal pick.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Transport yourself back in time to the days where kings and queens ruled, and see over 100 daily shows.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Transport yourself back in time to the days where kings and queens ruled, and see over 100 daily shows.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
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Though most monarchs live their entire lives in castles and palaces, the late queen was not born expecting to ascend to the throne.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From Chinese lion dancers and martial arts demonstrations to a K-pop and J-pop Silent Disco, there will be live entertainment and cultural performances all day long.—
Virginia Brown,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
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The Amazon subsidiary behind Masters of the Universe is called Regal Leo UK Productions in a nod to He-Man's royal lineage and MGM's roaring lion logo.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Another historical account written in May 1955 by Nancy Oldani says the auto magnate constructed a massive boat house for his yacht and built a home for a groundskeeper on his 600-acre estate.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Bought by the Wrigley family in 1958, Wychwood was built in 1902 for Charles Hutchinson, a banking magnate and founder of the Art Institute of Chicago.—
Amy Bizzarri,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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