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
  • Coming into the fight, the headlines were all about Itauma, the 21-year-old Brit with a chance to make history by becoming the youngest heavyweight to win a world title since Mike Tyson did so at age 20 in 1986.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • How would Leading Change be able to knock heads against the heavyweights of the division at a mile and a quarter distance?
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the less said about China’s guards, the better; their main job is to get the ball past half court without turning it over and then feed the bigs.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The one-room restaurant retains the clean, minimalist aesthetic that Anthony has cultivated at the upscale sushi counter but has more stone incorporated into the space than a traditional, wood-heavy omakase would.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • In the resort-view rooms, which start at an ample 535 square feet, the king bed is the focal point, topped with oversized white pillows and crisp white linens imprinted with monarch butterflies, a nod to the area’s colorful inhabitants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The king arbitrarily gives up his power and divides his kingdom among his children.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of king
Noun
  • This fall marks the 20th anniversary of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, the cult classic, semi-anachronistic retelling of the young queen’s life of luxury and lovelessness in 18th-century France.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Some models, like those with trundles or futon-style daybeds, can fold out to a full- or even queen-sized bed.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of queen
Noun
  • The black walnut double staircase in the center hall foyer has carved lions.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • On the business side, Portofino ’97 Eau de Parfum has consistently been the lion’s share of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s fragrance category, and year-to-date has grown 65 percent, according to the brand.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lion
Noun
  • Sargeant, a Florida oil magnate, had come under fire from Venezuelan opposition figures and US allies for allegedly propping up Maduro.
    — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Ryan Reynolds is already something of a modern-day Renaissance man, being a highly successful actor, billionaire business mogul, and global soccer magnate.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of magnate

Browse Nearby Words

Kafkaesque
kahuna
kahunas
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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