kingmaker

noun

king·​mak·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce kingmaker (audio)
: one having great influence over the choice of candidates for political office

Examples of kingmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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While the AfD will see themselves as potential kingmakers, the CDU/CSU may be unwilling to give them such a prominent voice in running the country. Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024 Early voting gave Harris an advantage in Michigan and Pennsylvania—the latter of which remains the potential kingmaker for many analysts—while Trump gained an early lead in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Georgia. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 By creating a false dichotomy between talent and dedication, Combs justified the show’s grueling demands of contestants, his role as their kingmaker, and his explosive anger when the women failed to meet his expectations. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024 But questions about a profit-sharing program with industry execs have threatened his kingmaker reputation. Iain Martin, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kingmaker 

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingmaker was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near kingmaker

Cite this Entry

“Kingmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingmaker. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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