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
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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
But when two men on his ship go missing, the Buckleys are drawn into a deadly rivalry between two drug kingpins: the Parker family and notorious smuggler Grady (Topher Grace).
—
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 June 2025
Riley did not contest his removal from the U.S. but said he should not be returned to Jamaica under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), citing concerns he could be killed by a drug kingpin if he were sent back to Jamaica.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Smuggling opium at the whim of a mercurial drug kingpin (Topher Grace).
—Max Gao, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
Fight Night became a way to explore the soul of that shift — through hustlers and preachers, cops and kingpins, veterans and dreamers.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 June 2025
Riley did not contest his removal from the U.S. but said he should not be returned to Jamaica under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), citing concerns he could be killed by a drug kingpin if he were sent back to Jamaica.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Smuggling opium at the whim of a mercurial drug kingpin (Topher Grace).
—Max Gao, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
Fight Night became a way to explore the soul of that shift — through hustlers and preachers, cops and kingpins, veterans and dreamers.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
-
The White House sent letters to leaders of several countries announcing blanket tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% starting Aug. 1.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
-
The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, addresses the audience to celebrate his 90th birthday at Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple, on July 06, 2025 in Dharamshala, India.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Noun
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As noted, newspapers and magazines have been conceived as a package—a mix of the light and the heavy.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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Others are the heaviest of the heavy: a college student rendered brain-dead by a fentanyl overdose, a little girl who fatally drowns while saving her sister who fell into their swimming pool.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Jumper eventually became air boss on the Midway, as the Vietnam War was fading out.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Recently, the union boss has been bending the president’s ear on the issue of the federal tax credit and overseas production tariffs.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Perimeter defense was a clear struggle for L.A., forcing late challenges by bigs leading to 25 free throws.—
Micheel Alharazy,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
-
The top remaining free agent bigs include Al Horford, Deandre Ayton, and Moe Wagner.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Subramanian’s deputy asked the jury foreman, who responded in the affirmative.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
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The jury foreman in the Karen Read retrial called on the FBI to take its own look into the death of Boston Police Department officer John O'Keefe.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Effectively Building Brand Recognition with Purpose and Preparation Diane Primo, CEO, marketing magnate, and communication innovator, served as the keynote speaker.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 June 2025
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Hefty Payroll Money is no object to Mets owner Steve Cohen, who made a fortune as a hedge fund magnate before buying the ballclub five years ago.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Prior to running The Pitt's emergency department like a pro, the master was just a med student on ER.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
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Moore connected with Fiorito, then an Arizona State University master of fine arts student, in 2004.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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At the height of the Greek junta, Irma is murdered by her husband, a tycoon, on their private island.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
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The debut comes after the tycoon—son of famed Hong Kong businessman Li Ka-shing—tried to take the company public in New York in 2021, which was abandoned after regulatory scrutiny.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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