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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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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Recent Examples of kingpin
In Ridley Scott’s 2007 crime epic Brolin played a corrupt cop who tries to keep Washington’s Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas in his place, not often to great success.
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Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 24 Nov. 2024
Ghost, the actress plays Tasha, the wife of nightclub owner and drug kingpin James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), who as a savvy and resourceful individual, is heavily involved in her husband’s drug empire.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2024
By killing Victor, Oz rids himself of all meaningful connections to his past, fortifying his ascension to Gotham kingpin in solitude.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Playing the murderous, thuggish drug kingpin required careful thought and training on what vocal register to use, how to move and carry the body in ways that noticeably differentiated him from Emilia’s character, Gascon said.
—David Bloom, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kingpin 
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 24 Nov. 2024
Ghost, the actress plays Tasha, the wife of nightclub owner and drug kingpin James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), who as a savvy and resourceful individual, is heavily involved in her husband’s drug empire.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2024
By killing Victor, Oz rids himself of all meaningful connections to his past, fortifying his ascension to Gotham kingpin in solitude.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Playing the murderous, thuggish drug kingpin required careful thought and training on what vocal register to use, how to move and carry the body in ways that noticeably differentiated him from Emilia’s character, Gascon said.
—David Bloom, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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Salem is already a leader as well who excels in the classroom and is described as a positive example for other students.Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
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What People Are Saying President Joe Biden has been in communication with Democratic leaders as a potential government shutdown approaches.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That left their lineup quite right-hander heavy, with only Yordan Alvarez lurking as a power threat from the left side.Newsweek, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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The Bahamas are still attracting heavies to the Four Seasons Ocean Club, Harbor Island, and Albany.Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The career advice you were given over the years by your colleagues, bosses and/or mentors didn’t align with your beliefs and values.Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Billy O’Brien, who plays the boss at the shop, actually works part-time at Williams Candy.Daniel Arnold, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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So not only has Zubac evolved into one of the premier defensive bigs, but his level of discipline as a rim protector should be recognized when making decisions about All-Defensive Team selections.Shane Young, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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In overtime, both teams traded baskets to start, but hoops eventually gave way to hysteria when Memphis bigs Moussa Cisse and Dain Dainja got into an altercation with UConn big Samson Johnson, bringing both benches to the brink of clearing.Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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After poignant family goodbyes at the gravesite, ranch foreman Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) literally buries his life mentor using the gleaming funeral showpiece shovel.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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The guest home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the foreman home has two bedrooms and one bathroom.Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Ultimately, the pair separated after Callas began having an affair with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis (Haluk Bilginer).Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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But in typical Swift fashion, the pop superstar and music magnate didn’t release the book through any of the biggest publishing houses.CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The company is the master of noise-canceling technology and these earbuds do an equally excellent job of blocking out the outside world.Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2024
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The show is a battle royal between two classes of chefs: the elite white spoons, who are culinary masters respected for their knowledge, longevity, and pedigree; and the black spoons, talented chefs, cooks, and restaurateurs who are still on their journey to mastery and recognition.Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The biggest and perhaps best-known was the family of railroad and shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt.Next Avenue, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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The film, now streaming on Netflix, is mapped with flashbacks showing snapshots of her stardom; performing at La Scala and other opera houses around the world, adored by millions, and her private life, named being wooed by shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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