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
Premiering in 2002, the crime drama depicted life on the streets of Baltimore with uncompromising realism, following a sprawling cast of characters from police officers to drug kingpins.
—
Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 2 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
The notorious hotspot, now a luxury property, was a fave hangout of violent kingpins, hard-living celebs, dirty cops and crooked politicians.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
New concepts abound as TV-news kingpins work to meet younger viewers in new environments.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 May 2026
Just when the officers come up with a plan to arrest Carter and Hakan for their respective drug empires, the kingpins start to become suspicious of their team members and become convinced that they've been infiltrated.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Cambodia passed unprecedented legislation Monday imposing life imprisonment for scam kingpins as the nation vows to eliminate cyber fraud operations by month’s end.
—Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The legislation also ignores the reality that as the kingpins in the SEC and Big Ten have gotten really rich, the other leagues have seen healthy returns and profits as well at roughly the same pace.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
In Culiacan, in neighboring Sinaloa state, home to a cartel of the same name, there is a cemetery known for its luxury crypts and mausoleums for one-time kingpins like Ignacio Coronel - an old associate of El Mencho - and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 2 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
The notorious hotspot, now a luxury property, was a fave hangout of violent kingpins, hard-living celebs, dirty cops and crooked politicians.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
New concepts abound as TV-news kingpins work to meet younger viewers in new environments.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 May 2026
Just when the officers come up with a plan to arrest Carter and Hakan for their respective drug empires, the kingpins start to become suspicious of their team members and become convinced that they've been infiltrated.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Cambodia passed unprecedented legislation Monday imposing life imprisonment for scam kingpins as the nation vows to eliminate cyber fraud operations by month’s end.
—Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The legislation also ignores the reality that as the kingpins in the SEC and Big Ten have gotten really rich, the other leagues have seen healthy returns and profits as well at roughly the same pace.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
In Culiacan, in neighboring Sinaloa state, home to a cartel of the same name, there is a cemetery known for its luxury crypts and mausoleums for one-time kingpins like Ignacio Coronel - an old associate of El Mencho - and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpins
Noun
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While many acknowledged some pockets of froth in unprofitable tech names, 85% of managers said valuations among the Magnificent Seven and other AI heavyweights are not overly inflated.—
Lauren Chomiuk,
Fortune,
7 Dec. 2025
-
On Wednesday afternoon, the two heavyweights shared the pitch for the 2025-2026 season opener.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Fried’s statement to the Herald comes amid warnings from a growing chorus of political leaders that Wasserman Schultz’s decision — and the state party’s silence about it — could have ripple effects across the ballot in November.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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The boy’s family and county leaders are renewing their plea for witnesses to come forward, saying justice for a child lost to senseless street violence is long overdue.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Spurs bigs Tim Duncan and David Robinson were dominant in Ewing’s absence.—
Esfandiar Baraheni,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
The Sky managed to break the 100-point mark despite an off night from their bigs, who combined for only 23 points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Employees everywhere else depend on their bosses’ goodwill.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
As for most attractive team, that honor went to Brazil, while Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was deemed the biggest head-turner among bench bosses.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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In any year, in any culture, there are no antagonists (save for Nazis) better suited as action cinema heavies; rooting against child trafficking lowlifes is moral, easy, and best of all, a completely guiltless pleasure.—
Andy Crump,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
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Specifically, Alioto sought to reimagine the magazine as a many-pronged vehicle for promising tastes—like those of regular contributors and critical heavies, Grace Byron and Greta Rainbow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Customers were very important; workers, foremen.—
Michael Kilian,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
The earliest wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano were apparently much smaller than the car-tire-sized ones that are standard now, but no less coveted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Pancevski describes their intelligence leaders as chess masters who studied in the same academy, skilled at predicting one another’s moves — and hilariously attempting to apply that logic to allies and rivals who prefer Candy Crush.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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Tarras showed videos in which colleagues described Herek as a devoted father who has volunteered as a coach in youth and masters swimming programs in Broward County.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kingpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpins. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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