kingpin

noun

ˈkiŋ-ˌpin How to pronounce kingpin (audio)
Definition of kingpinnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 kingpin Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, a drug kingpin recently released from prison who looks to monopolize power by targeting his enemies. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 In the novel, Maciel, who started his career in Nicaro, Cuba, the island nation’s most significant nickel-mining town, is the lead witness against a cartel kingpin. — Helen Acevedo, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026 The life-and-death stakes were raised when the former high school series jumped five years to show a now-young adult Rue becoming a drug mule and working for rival kingpins (Martha Kelly’s Laurie also took her own life in the finale). — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 From working as a drug mule to pay off her debts to dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly) to now working for crime kingpin/strip club owner Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Rue has been living on the edge. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
  1. heavyweight
  2. leader
  3. heavy
  4. boss
  5. big
  6. foreman
  7. magnate
  8. master
Noun
  • This comes after index heavyweight SK Hynix sank over 10% in Asian trade.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • Its Virginia Payload Module gives it a large and well-defined cruise-missile capacity, while its torpedo tubes can launch Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • The president of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) said the law is an important step forward, but its long-term success will depend on cooperation between federal, state and local leaders.
    — Nakell Williams, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Rock House is not only a reminder of Alexander’s achievements, a planter, blacksmith and leader of the American Revolution in Mecklenburg County, but also the enslavement of at least 17 people that occurred there.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
Definition of leader
Noun
  • Soon after Rhaenyra executes Otto Hightower, who was once mastermind of that family’s schemes, Ormund steps up to be the faction’s new heavy.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • Shares of Meta are flat on the year, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 is up 18%.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • His boss agreed, according to the lawsuit, so Swinehart asked an employee who worked under him to figure out if the family would be interested in that.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • McClair, a scurrying cerebral Glaswegian signed from Celtic and one of the few players to outsmart his boss Sir Alex Ferguson, had become the first in 20 years, since Best, to score 20 league goals for United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • Rushing has already endured several tests in his first full season in the bigs.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Data show those players have about an 11% chance to reach the bigs (compared to about 81% for those picked in the first round).
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • What money cannot copy is a workplace where people feel respected, where a foreman takes time to teach instead of just bark orders and where someone's growth is treated as the company's responsibility.
    — Brad Strawbridge, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Charles might be forced to take that foreman job, forced to be away from his family for two years.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of foreman
Noun
  • San Luis Obispo county also boasts Hearst Castle, a state park once the mansion of the publishing magnate.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Real estate magnate Lee Miglin was discovered slain on May 4, 1997, in the garage of his Gold Coast home.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of magnate
Noun
  • It isn't meant to house a bed but simply to open up space above the 205 x 186-cm (81 x 73-in) master king bed, creating a more complete bedroom that gives sleepers loads of space to sit up comfortably.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
  • All woven together by a master storyteller the right would love and have tried to claim for themselves?
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
Definition of master

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Cite this Entry

“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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