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

Relevance

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 For 20 years, Rozay has refined a larger-than-life kingpin character, one that directs drug traffic and greenlights hits while anchored in Biscayne Bay, an iced champagne bucket always within reach. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 Location Managers Guild International is giving a TV kingpin its highest honor this year. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 22 July 2026 His mother, Paula (Naomie Harris), is a drug addict and Little falls under the tutelage of a drug kingpin named Juan (Mahershala Ali) and his girlfriend, Teresa (Janelle Monáe). — David Faris, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 Heat president/kingpin Pat Riley, after introducing new superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, said the franchise is still pursuing James, who won two titles in four years in Miami. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 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
  • The art is from the private collection of Paolo and Antonella De Santis, Valentina's parents, and is mostly from the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, with pieces by heavyweights like Anselm Kiefer.
    — Ondine Cohane, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Once in the postseason, there will be no cakewalking for Columbine in a 4A field headlined by Western Slope heavyweight Montrose as well as Ponderosa, Monarch, Broomfield and Mesa Ridge.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • Should a college football team make the College Football Playoff because the sport’s leaders see them as an up-and-coming team that could use some extra cash, exposure and experience?
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Nigerian leader began his administration with centerpiece economic reforms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of leader
Noun
  • The one-room restaurant retains the clean, minimalist aesthetic that Anthony has cultivated at the upscale sushi counter but has more stone incorporated into the space than a traditional, wood-heavy omakase would.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Dallas Caton’s bass-heavy production lays the foundation for the frantic and propulsive record.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • Palace are going to set up in the same 3-4-2-1 system under new boss Pierre Sage that predecessor Oliver Glasner used, albeit the style of play will be different, with quicker passing and wide combinations.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • An omen of the future — The firing is an event worth paying attention to, says Andon Labs CEO Lukas Petersson, because if AI keeps getting better at its current rate, more of us might be managed by AI bosses in the near future.
    — Billy Perrigo, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Pick-and-rolls at the top of the floor with bigs, pick-and-rolls with smalls.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • Corey Sooter, 44, a foreman for an electrical company working on the project, died on June 10.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Fischer had tried to recruit others in her crusade against the local government, including foreman Ben Kessler.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of foreman
Noun
  • Sargeant, a Florida oil magnate, had come under fire from Venezuelan opposition figures and US allies for allegedly propping up Maduro.
    — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Ryan Reynolds is already something of a modern-day Renaissance man, being a highly successful actor, billionaire business mogul, and global soccer magnate.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of magnate
Noun
  • Furthering the family connection to the Dutch master, van Uylenburgh’s niece, Saskia van Uylenburgh, went on to marry Rembrandt in 1634.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Farnsworth holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications management from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of master

Browse Nearby Words

kingly
kingpin
kingpins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All