1
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
a police sting that nabbed several kingpins of the city's drug trade
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
finally nailed the mob kingpin who had been controlling all the gambling rackets in the city
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kingpin
On Saturday, July 12, visitors to the park were greeted by a 12-foot tall sculpture of the tech kingpin’s head, his expression chiseled into a self-satisfied smirk.
—
Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 17 July 2025
After escaping from the fire of Japanese justice in a box, former Nissan and Renault kingpin Carlos Ghosn will now face the frying pan of French justice over corruption charges.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
After the dramatic ending that saw the Buckleys face off with drug kingpin Grady, season 2 could mark a fresh new chapter for the characters.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 June 2025
And apparently, Topher Grace shows up at some point as a drug kingpin?
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 17 July 2025
After escaping from the fire of Japanese justice in a box, former Nissan and Renault kingpin Carlos Ghosn will now face the frying pan of French justice over corruption charges.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
After the dramatic ending that saw the Buckleys face off with drug kingpin Grady, season 2 could mark a fresh new chapter for the characters.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 June 2025
And apparently, Topher Grace shows up at some point as a drug kingpin?
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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Trump has signaled Zelensky would not participate in Friday’s summit, though the US president previewed his plans to phone Kyiv immediately after the meeting, along with other European leaders, to brief them.—
Victoria Butenko,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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But respectful debate has given way to vitriol, amplified by leaders who use division as a political tool.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
Time,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Contributors include commentator heavies like Osita Nwanevu, Kim Kelly, and Anna Merlan.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
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First question first: Is Usyk the GOAT of the heavies?—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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On Monday morning, league bosses Roger Goodell, Adam Silver, Rob Manfred, and Gary Bettman were asked to participate in a briefing on matters related to the sports broadcasting market, including those having to do with blackout exemptions.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The previous proposal, which involved a game between Barça and fellow Catalan club Girona, was then shelved by the LaLiga boss.—
Patrick Sung,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At this big of a discount, don't miss out on this deal!—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Aug. 2025
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One of the few cracks in Minnesota’s defensive armor this season has occasionally been slowing down back-to-the-basket bigs, but great defensive wing play can be part of that antidote, as well, as perimeter pressure limits the opponent’s ability to effectively enter the ball into the post.—
Jjfrederick,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Sacco leads on overtime so far in 2025, followed by Cades, foreman Ahmad Barakati, who has made $104,267 in overtime out of $167,845 in pay, Caruso, and Kelly, who has made $95,244 of his $159,348 pay in overtime.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
21 July 2025
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Jury foreman Jim Stuhlman said ultimately, prosecutors didn not provide enough evidence to prove their case.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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The lawyers of President Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch have agreed to pause an effort to force the 94-year-old media magnate to testify before a federal court in the president’s defamation case against the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Sarah Whitmire,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The moves reflect Trump’s aggressiveness toward media who displease him — even a media magnate, Rupert Murdoch, with outlets that have been friendly to him in the past.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Rihanna has long been the master of maternity fashion.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
8 Aug. 2025
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The former Florida Gator, entrepreneur, and master’s student returns to elite after her final season in the NCAA.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The question is why the private-equity tycoon, who has spent millions buying and renovating homes in locales including Colorado, California and France, rented that particular property from that particular person.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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The tech tycoon left the White House in May, publicly decrying Trump.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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