as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
a big kahuna at a Hollywood talent agency, he's got the fancy car to prove it
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Recent Examples of kahuna
Today may not be your actual filing deadline: Yes, April 15 is the big kahuna of tax-filing deadlines for most people.
—
Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The ISM Manufacturing Index kicks things off today with plenty of more data over the coming days, anchored by the big kahuna, Friday’s employment situation report for July.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022
But the big kahuna is still to come, as the company finally confirmed that the Supra is officially getting a manual transmission.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2022
The Rebate Project, though, is the big kahuna.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for kahuna
Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The ISM Manufacturing Index kicks things off today with plenty of more data over the coming days, anchored by the big kahuna, Friday’s employment situation report for July.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022
But the big kahuna is still to come, as the company finally confirmed that the Supra is officially getting a manual transmission.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2022
The Rebate Project, though, is the big kahuna.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for kahuna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kahuna
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
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Fans also witnessed a matchup between South Shore teams that needed triple overtime to be decided, as Patriot League heavyweight Duxbury emerged victorious on the road against a very talented Abington squad (a 52-44 final).—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Making things sweeter, Stubbs was called to the bigs on the same day his brother Garrett, who has played in 192 major league games over six seasons with the Astros and Phillies, was called up to the big leagues by Philadelphia.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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That changes the spacing for the bigs, who have to work in tighter confines without Cunningham and eventually Clark pulling defenders out of the paint.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Previously home to a long-standing restaurant called Andiamo, the space had a dark, wood-heavy aesthetic.—
Amanda Lauren,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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That something special largely comes from a heavy, spitting topspin forehand that dovetails with an aggressive backhand slice — the result of Tjen growing up idolizing three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the 1600s the British parliament firmly established its predominance over the king, while Europe saw the rise of absolute monarchies in the then-great continental powers of Spain and France.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Fort Lauderdale alerted residents that the heavy rain in recent days, coupled with king tides, put some major roads in the city underwater this week.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Trending Video For consistency, all of the prices reflect queen sizes.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
10 Sep. 2025
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The show created by and starring Florence Longpré, a queen of Canadian dramedy, is playing on Bell’s streamer Crave in Canada, and Canal+ in France.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the lion’s den, no less, at left leaning venues, hoping facts and common sense would prevail.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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In Tanzania, visitors can see wild chimpanzees, huge lion prides, the incredible mass birthing of wildebeest in late February and early March, and dense concentrations of elephants in the dry season from June to October.—
Kent Redding,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The same goes for the Miami Dolphins’ Stephen Ross, a real estate magnate who was flat year-over-year and is worth $17 billion.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Charnvirakul, a construction magnate, succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a member of the powerful Shinawatra family who was suspended in July after a phone call with a former Cambodian leader was leaked.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kahuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kahuna. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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