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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Poltergeist pairs two Hollywood heavyweights, with Steven Spielberg behind the story and Tobe Hooper in the director's chair — and the result is pure movie magic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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For now, economic heavyweights California and New York are treading water but could easily tip the scales.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One of the most famous examples of a major business leader succeeding from failure was Apple’s visionary cofounder Steve Jobs.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
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The look emulated some of Queen Elizabeth’s outfits for her audiences with the leader of the Catholic Church.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
23 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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The constantly shifting allegiances are meant to form a twisty yarn in the aggregate, though the effect is largely just confusing — especially when Helen gets a subplot investigating her own past that distracts from her role as the chilly, withholding boss.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Oct. 2025
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In the real world, a boss must set aside their love for their dog and look at things objectively.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
26 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 27 Oct. 2025.
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