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 none have the mystery or style of staying in a former drug kingpin’s private jet.
—
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
Pereira claimed the belt with a second-round knockout win, handing Prochazka his first loss since ex-Strikeforce light heavyweight kingpin Muhammed Lawal decked him in late 2015.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 17 Jan. 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
Now the cartel kingpin’s lawyer wants to be a ranchera star
June 20, 2024
Such artists have long faced sharp criticisms from authorities as well as threats from drug gangs.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kingpin 
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
Pereira claimed the belt with a second-round knockout win, handing Prochazka his first loss since ex-Strikeforce light heavyweight kingpin Muhammed Lawal decked him in late 2015.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 17 Jan. 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
Now the cartel kingpin’s lawyer wants to be a ranchera star
June 20, 2024
Such artists have long faced sharp criticisms from authorities as well as threats from drug gangs.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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Based on those factors, Ovechkin currently has a 15 percent chance of finishing the 2024-25 season as the NHL’s all-time scoring leader.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
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According to a report from 2023, staff at the hospital began working with hospital nurse leaders to establish a Narcan Training Crew, who would provide training on using Narcan at community events.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Not without consequence, of course, and not just from New York heavies—in his years of flouting the conventions of etiquette in the bush, around animals, whether while making images or just out wandering, Peter was not entirely unscathed.—
Chris Wallace,
Vogue,
17 Dec. 2024
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But at six-foot-two, with the big, square features and the theatrical presence of a human monolith, Chen looks as well as buzzes like the authority figures and heavies that are a star basso’s ticket to the really big time.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
7 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
For about 20 years, beating any two of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the same Grand Slam was the men’s tennis final boss.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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She's abruptly fired from her exercise show when her creepy boss (Dennis Quaid) decides to hunt for younger talent to be the face of the series.—
Eric Andersson,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And fielding a starting lineup with two second-year bigs in Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese plus one or two rookie wings or guards would be a massive undertaking — especially for first-year coach Tyler Marsh.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
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But Robinson’s latest return to the starting lineup seems likely to be an extended one, because his shooting and passing are particularly valuable in the new starting group with two bigs (Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Her father, the foreman at a tool-and-die plant, was part of the sitdown strikes of the thirties.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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Out-of-towners and locals swapped notes on who was coming and going, when new jobs were starting and what drama had gone down with a foreman.—
Jovelle Tamayo,
New York Times,
25 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That could be a smart bet for Cohen, with Donald Trump’s election spurring business magnates and world leaders to flock to Palm Beach for its proximity to the new president’s Winter White House at Mar-a-Lago.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Alongside billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, the tech magnates appeared in countless live shots of the transfer of power.—
Bloomberg,
Orange County Register,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Vahe was an English major at the University of Pennsylvania and earned his master’s degree at Mizzou.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
31 Jan. 2025
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Camila graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An arrogant advertiser at the peak of success is forced to promote a tycoon as a presidential candidate, while a mysterious stalker threatens to destroy his agency and his reputation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2025
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Harold Hamm: The oil tycoon—worth $18.5 billion—reportedly raised money for Trump, and has been involved in the transition, pushing to undo Biden-era electric car credits.—
Joe Walsh,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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