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
In the novel, Maciel, who started his career in Nicaro, Cuba, the island nation’s most significant nickel-mining town, is the lead witness against a cartel kingpin.
—
Helen Acevedo,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
The life-and-death stakes were raised when the former high school series jumped five years to show a now-young adult Rue becoming a drug mule and working for rival kingpins (Martha Kelly’s Laurie also took her own life in the finale).
—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
From working as a drug mule to pay off her debts to dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly) to now working for crime kingpin/strip club owner Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Rue has been living on the edge.
—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
Now, nearly a decade later, Hamza is in the inner circle as the kingpin of the Baloch gang that rules the city of Karachi.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Helen Acevedo,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
The life-and-death stakes were raised when the former high school series jumped five years to show a now-young adult Rue becoming a drug mule and working for rival kingpins (Martha Kelly’s Laurie also took her own life in the finale).
—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
From working as a drug mule to pay off her debts to dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly) to now working for crime kingpin/strip club owner Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Rue has been living on the edge.
—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
Now, nearly a decade later, Hamza is in the inner circle as the kingpin of the Baloch gang that rules the city of Karachi.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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The result dashed hopes of a team touted as dark horses who could make a long run in the tournament by beating traditional soccer heavyweights such as Brazil.
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Cape Verde earned a shocking draw with heavyweight Spain at Atlanta Stadium.
Noun
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In the weeks since Fable 5 and Mythos 5 were forced out of commission, industry leaders and experts became increasingly worried that the ad-hoc ban would threaten America’s AI lead against China.
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According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
Noun
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Geoffrey Lechantoux is responsible for the French-seafood-heavy menu.
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Most standard blends are nitrogen-heavy, which encourages leaf growth instead of fruit.
Noun
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Among those courtside include members of the NBA champ New York Knicks; Kelce’s Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, other teammates and coaches; ex-Disney boss Bob Iger and spouse Willow Bay; and current Disney powerhouse Dana Walden.
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And ordering wine even when the boss hasn’t is exactly that—showing bold initiative.
Noun
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Robinson will be a far tougher test for Embiid and the East’s other bigs.
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For the past few weeks, the Valkyries’ first-ever All-Star has been anchoring Golden State’s defense in critical moments, guarding opposing bigs and sacrificing offensive opportunities for the sake of scheme.
Noun
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Hauser played hardened ranch foreman Rip Wheeler on the Paramount Network series that ran from 2018 to 2024.
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Beth, the daughter of the late John Dutton (Kevin Costner), and Rip, the Dutton ranch’s longtime foreman and fixer, have become one of TV's most beloved and volatile couples.
Noun
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French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured.
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Jolie balked at the term and struck a $64 million deal with the billionaire alcohol magnate, Yuri Shefler.
Noun
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While theology and ministry studies were designated as nonprofessional, the master of divinity degree often pursued by eventual pastors or ministers does retain professional status.
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In one mega master in San Antonio, Texas, out of the 175 cases ordered to appear before a judge one morning, about 40 people didn’t show up, said attorney Jessica Smith Bobadilla.
Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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