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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kingpin
Though Miguel is shot in the leg during the surprise attack, Tommy and his men come out on top, and Jenard's team abandons him to work for Chicago's new kingpin.
—
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
And then when the Conan Harris-type drug kingpin finally did get lugged and charged with trafficking 27 pounds of cocaine, Maura cut him a check for $31,000 and then claimed that, like Sgt.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The final season follows the New York kingpin's journey to build a fortified drug empire in Chicago.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The kingpin in our back yard is Maduro and Venezuela.
—NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
And then when the Conan Harris-type drug kingpin finally did get lugged and charged with trafficking 27 pounds of cocaine, Maura cut him a check for $31,000 and then claimed that, like Sgt.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The final season follows the New York kingpin's journey to build a fortified drug empire in Chicago.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The kingpin in our back yard is Maduro and Venezuela.
—NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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Like a bear hide, these heavyweight AS Colour hoodies are oversized for a relaxed fit.—
The Editors,
Outdoor Life,
30 Jan. 2026
-
On Wednesday evening, The Information reported that OpenAI is seeking a fresh $60 billion in funding from heavyweights like Nvidia and Amazon.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
More than 8,000 volunteers are with the program so far, but leaders have a goal of growing Phambassadors to at least 10,000 people before the year's biggest events.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Paramount executive also became president of the American Motion Picture Association (precursor to the MPA) in 1925, beating out the likes of Marcus Loew, Lasky, William Fox, Hays, Sam Rothafel, Sam Katz, Carl Laemmle, Joseph Schenck, and other Hollywood heavies.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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The Dark Ages gave us an extremely metal prequel that — while a bit too lore and cutscene-heavy — presented more surprising tricks and gameplay refreshes to keep the long-running FPS series alive and kicking butt.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The kind of boss who would crawl inside your abdomen instead of turning down the air-conditioning, Bradley suddenly can’t function without Linda.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Minott healthy, two bigs sit An illness hit the Celtics’ locker room during the lead-up to Monday’s game.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Simmons had a heroic night with eight points and eight rebounds, playing much of it as an undersized 5-man with Magoon Gwath injured and the other bigs in foul trouble.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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His hard work was recognized, eventually leading to his head foreman gig working on luxury homes in the Hollywood Hills.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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Magaña shows him how to maneuver the blade around a thick trunk, as the foreman kicks it loose.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In its sophomore season, Cross is in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante who is hunting down corrupt billionaire magnates.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
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Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash As the Flynn family fractures under the strain of a failing open marriage and three daughters spiraling into dangerous secrets, their small coastal town is quietly dominated by a powerful shipping magnate no one dares to question.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Dogs kept some of their hierarchical instincts, replacing alpha wolves with their human masters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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