1
as in heavyweights
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 leaders
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 kingpins
Another 22 billionaires returned to the ranking after dropping off the list in a previous year, including crypto kingpins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and stock trading app Robinhood’s Baiju Bhatt.
—
Thomas Gallagher, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Described as cocaine kingpins and convicted of a non-violent drug conspiracy, the brothers had been in prison since the mid-1990s, according to NBC DFW.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
The same goes for Georgia and Ohio State and several other current kingpins.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
So how about De Niro playing not one but two Mafia kingpins in the same movie?
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Crypto kingpins rubbing elbows with the president and the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission?
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
The last season left off with Rue owing kingpins a couple of g’s without resolving that major story line.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025
Beneath the criminal hierarchy of kingpins, middlemen, and trigger pullers is a vast network of supporters greasing the wheels.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
De Niro stars in a double role as both mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, real-life kingpins of New York’s Genovese crime family.
—Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
Thomas Gallagher, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Described as cocaine kingpins and convicted of a non-violent drug conspiracy, the brothers had been in prison since the mid-1990s, according to NBC DFW.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
The same goes for Georgia and Ohio State and several other current kingpins.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
So how about De Niro playing not one but two Mafia kingpins in the same movie?
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Crypto kingpins rubbing elbows with the president and the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission?
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
The last season left off with Rue owing kingpins a couple of g’s without resolving that major story line.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025
Beneath the criminal hierarchy of kingpins, middlemen, and trigger pullers is a vast network of supporters greasing the wheels.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
De Niro stars in a double role as both mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, real-life kingpins of New York’s Genovese crime family.
—Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpins
Noun
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While the decision was ridiculous, neither of them is going to strike fear in the hearts of the top heavyweights.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The two Patriot League heavyweights have faced off in the Div.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
European leaders have accused Russia of sending drones into Polish airspace to test the NATO alliance’s readiness.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
However, fewer than 10% of finance leaders surveyed have fully integrated or scaled AI accounting and finance use cases across their functions and organizations.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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She’s tasked with slowing down top opposing bigs, and her versatility and willingness to defend some of the league’s best is key to freeing up Collier on both ends.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Waiving Bradley without seeing how healthy those two bigs are would be irresponsible.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As far as the executive suite, the new Paramount under motion picture bosses Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg has yet to find its new identity and make its mark.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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Relations with bosses and people in authority will go well.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For years after that, TCU alums who had served as Ranch Week foremen or queen would proudly include it on resumes, in professional biographies or when running for office.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Maybach’s steering wheel is massively proportioned, a big hoop, reminding of wheels in my 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s luxury cars.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Ride a Bike Enjoy the best of Grand Teton’s fall foliage on two wheels instead of four.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These masters of photosynthesis use solar energy to cause reactions between carbon dioxide and water in specialized organelles, making oxygen and organic carbon.—
Katherine Bourzac,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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It’s been more than five years since Clare Yeo got her masters in piano performance, but this fall, she’s assigned herself a semester of coursework.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On November 25, the La Liga holders travel to Stamford Bridge for a mouthwatering clash with the reigning Club World Cup kings.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Stars and Stripes will face off against the Tigers of Asia for the first time in more than a decade as two continental kings collide at Sports Illustrated Stadium.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kingpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpins. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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