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
  • Northrop Grumman faces stiff competition in the uncrewed fighter market from several defence industry heavyweights.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The New York Rangers remain an Eastern Conference heavyweight relying on their dominant foundation.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • The belief in Green Bay is the veteran bigs will give Love more time to throw.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Recruiting Cohen is a big to support Black Bear’s investment in a broad slate of independent films.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • That also suggests the league accepts, or at least tolerates, the flag-heavy officiating that has come to define the early months of the season.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The forecast is for rain and wind off the lake (hit the under heavy) and that will put a premium on running the football and lessen the reliance on Rodgers, who might be feeling the effects of a short week.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Dinner is an event at Pellico 3, the hotel’s gastronomy project, reconceptualised in 2022 and conducted by executive chef Guido Paternollo, who has worked under haute cuisine kings Enrico Bartolini and Alain Ducasse.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Though a shakeup in the midterms might well mess with the routines of loyal Trump appointees like Patel, on this night, chugging beers on the rooftop at the rink, Kash was king.
    — Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of king
Noun
  • Though the film initially received criticism for its unconventional portrayal of the young French queen (intentionally opting for an anachronistically stylish over stuffily period-appropriate approach), 20 years later, its legacy is undeniable.
    — Stephanie Sporn, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Now, the king and queen apparently want to bury the hatchet with Harry and Meghan—but the same can’t be said for Prince William.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of queen
Noun
  • Once the lions get comfortable in a neighborhood where deer are plentiful, an attack on a pet or a human is more likely, Tira said.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The payout makes up the lion’s share of Zaslav’s severance package, though his contract also provided other benefits, including an unusual tax reimbursement perk.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of lion
Noun
  • Oprah Winfrey is many things—a source of wisdom, a business magnate, and a style icon.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Kounalakis holds a master’s in business administration from UC Berkeley and is the daughter of Sacramento real estate magnate Angelo Tsakopolous.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 1 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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