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
College football quarterback to drug kingpin isn’t exactly a typical career path, but that’s exactly what Owen Hanson did.
—
Barry Levitt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The son of a former Colombian paramilitary drug-cartel kingpin was sentenced Friday in San Diego federal court to four years and three months in prison for an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Leo plays a hot-shot CIA operative trying to track a shadowy terrorist kingpin through Iraq and Jordan.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Inside the Carnage maze, visitors pass through the warehouse and enter a security room where the clown kingpin urges them to join him now — or die.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Barry Levitt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The son of a former Colombian paramilitary drug-cartel kingpin was sentenced Friday in San Diego federal court to four years and three months in prison for an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Leo plays a hot-shot CIA operative trying to track a shadowy terrorist kingpin through Iraq and Jordan.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Inside the Carnage maze, visitors pass through the warehouse and enter a security room where the clown kingpin urges them to join him now — or die.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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Brighton & Hove Albion need big performances from their best players to continue an outstanding record against some of the Premier League heavyweights.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Those fears contrasted with strong results earlier in the week from Wall Street heavyweights like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Bank of America.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Schneider has been a vital leader for Walpole all year in a preseason position switch from the forward line to center-midfielder.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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This is the web version of CEO Daily, a newsletter of must-read global insights from CEOs and industry leaders.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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If the Rockets go big-heavy often, Reed Sheppard loses some shine.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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The shift to bonds may indicate investors are rebalancing to keep their asset allocations from getting too stock-heavy, Austin said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Connors helped just about everyone who needed it, his friend PR boss George Regan said at the awards ceremony.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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Your next movie night will be complete with this ’90s psychological thriller starring a vengeful nanny attempting to destroy a former boss’s life.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Not only did San Diego State graduate its three regular bigs – Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada and Cali Clark – from the Mountain West Tournament champions, point guard and leading scorer Veronica Sheffey transferred through the portal to TCU.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
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All five players will need to be involved, and that is where the bigs enter the conversation.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Umanzor Molina, 39, a construction foreman who worked on projects at Miami International Airport, was detained in a day care parking lot in Aventura, Florida.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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First responders were summoned to the scene, as Brockman’s foreman put on climbing gear, ascended the tree and assisted in lowering him to the ground.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Forest owner has been pondering his options That is not unusual — the Greek shipping magnate always likes to have a plan B in place.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Another potential Houstonian who has reportedly shown a desire to have an NHL team in Houston is Daniel Friedkin, a car magnate who last year purchased Everton of the English Premier League.—
Mac Engel
October 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After giving a peek at her family, Eilish ran with a handheld camcorder linked to the big screen, showing her polo-wearing band and the soundboard masters stationed below the risers.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
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Completed in the mid-1950s by master builder Joe Pawling for wealthy Illinois philanthropists and socialites George and Marcia Barrett, Holden occupied the digs from 1966 to 1977.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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