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
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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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Recent Examples of kingpins
He was initially arrested in Colombia in 1990 under a government program that promised drug kingpins they would not be extradited to the United States.
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Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Eventually, Sergei — now going by Kraven — begins knocking off a growing list of poachers, corporate rascals and international kingpins.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024
Prior to Gutierrez-Ochoa there has been a long history of Mexican kingpins faking death to avoid capture, with El Mencho himself rumored killed on several occasions.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
But, the movie suggests, he was perceived nonetheless—while sitting alone after a disastrous date—by one of the club’s most prominent members, Roy Cohn, who invites the clumsy young striver to his festive table and introduces him to two Mafia kingpins who are also seated there.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
And that’s great news not only for Wall Street kingpins like Josh Harris but for investment-minded sports fans everywhere.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Eventually, Sergei — now going by Kraven — begins knocking off a growing list of poachers, corporate rascals and international kingpins.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024
Prior to Gutierrez-Ochoa there has been a long history of Mexican kingpins faking death to avoid capture, with El Mencho himself rumored killed on several occasions.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
But, the movie suggests, he was perceived nonetheless—while sitting alone after a disastrous date—by one of the club’s most prominent members, Roy Cohn, who invites the clumsy young striver to his festive table and introduces him to two Mafia kingpins who are also seated there.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
And that’s great news not only for Wall Street kingpins like Josh Harris but for investment-minded sports fans everywhere.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpins
Noun
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Because, from the Midwest, this feels like Notre Dame’s best shot in a long time to knock off one of the sport’s heavyweights.Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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Multiple heavyweights are going to declare in Fall of 2026, so why not get a jump on them and have the Left-leaning media all to yourself?Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The separation of civilizations and leaders, navigable rivers that provide new routes for trade and battles, plus an overhauled diplomacy system with a new influence mechanic all offer long-term players a host of fresh challenges.Barry Collins, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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But how can these leaders change that situation and get the best out of their AI strategies, with all employees on board?Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The two forwards — Boston and Smith — don’t space the floor but Clark’s range, gravity and playmaking generates opportunities for the bigs on each possession.Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 30 Dec. 2024
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Evan Mobley is growing into a star, Darius Garland is returning to form and Atkinson is figuring out how to win with two small guards and two bigs.Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near kingpins
Cite this Entry
“Kingpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpins. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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