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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Recent Examples of kahuna
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
The big kahuna, Photoshop itself, costs a minimum of $9.99 per month, but that subscription also includes Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and 20GB of cloud storage.
—PCMAG, 10 May 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
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
The big kahuna, Photoshop itself, costs a minimum of $9.99 per month, but that subscription also includes Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and 20GB of cloud storage.
—PCMAG, 10 May 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
Noun
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Sachs is joined in competition by a lot of international heavyweights.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
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Boutros said the work didn’t end with the recent convictions of political heavyweights like Ald.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, today’s NBA values bigs who can either shoot from the perimeter, or have crazy length and can defend, rebound and block shots, and run in transition.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
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Luka Garza, who’s played well in most of his appearances since late December, is another viable option if Vucevic scuffles, or if Mazzulla opts to play three bigs.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Laser writes energy circuits Unlike conventional energy storage devices that rely on synthetic materials and chemical-heavy processes, this method uses a natural substrate and a single-step fabrication process.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
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Fort Worth’s luxury Bowie House hotel opened with a beef-heavy menu.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the afternoon, the king and queen will visit Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School in Fishtown, where they'll be joined by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Once favored by scientists and royalty, Haghartsin now holds the graves of kings.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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All 24 accommodations, ranging from a queen room to a two-bedroom, two-bathroom oceanfront suite, share a distinct residential vibe.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2026
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Shortly thereafter, Peter photographed another leather queen, the poet Kirby Congdon.—
Andrew Durbin,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The lion’s share of the 2024 complaints — around 69% — came from Superior.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
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In February, a landmark case against the world’s largest social media companies began in California and attracted a lion’s share of press coverage.—
William Proctor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a pink, chandeliered room in the Gilded Age mansion of a dead steel magnate, the past and present melded in a manner that was both unsettling and affirming.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Adelson is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and is a physician, philanthropist, and major GOP donor.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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