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
  • Roman Dolidze Light heavyweight TKO in Round 1 MarQuel Mederos def.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Hayden Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, former heavyweight-boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, posted a touching tribute to her following her death at 36.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • The third-year big is in one of the best stretches of her young career and arguably her best with Atlanta.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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
  • Across the country, churches and city halls opened specially on Saturday so people could light candles, write down their thoughts about the deceased king in condolence books.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Haakon was to address the people of Norway in his first speech as king on Saturday night in which he is expected to eulogize his father.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of king
Noun
  • Country queen and national treasure Dolly Parton may have physically left the world on Tuesday, but her indelible mark on the world and the industry will never be forgotten.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The country queen wore the whole story of American music on her shoulders like a coat of many colors.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of queen
Noun
  • The 135 animals found at a ranch also included lions, buffalo, sulcata tortoises, spider monkeys, jaguars, an American bison and a green macaw.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Indianapolis Zoo confirmed all its lions were accounted for to the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 Aug. 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 31 Aug. 2026.

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