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
Kraven the Hunter's version of the Rhino is a Russian wannabe kingpin who was turned into a human-rhino hybrid by a scientist in New York (more on that in a bit).
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Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Directed and co-written by Sukumar, Pushpa 2 follows a turbulent and fierce battle between mafia kingpin Pushpa Raj and Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, a ruthless and psychotic police officer.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024
Shortly after the 2008 Financial Crisis, Bowyer befriended Owen Hanson, an international drug kingpin and former USC football walk-on, ESPN reported this spring.
—Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Former drug kingpin Rayful Edmond, whose dealing fueled the 1980s crack epidemic in Washington, D.C. died Tuesday, months after being released from prison.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kingpin 
Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Directed and co-written by Sukumar, Pushpa 2 follows a turbulent and fierce battle between mafia kingpin Pushpa Raj and Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, a ruthless and psychotic police officer.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024
Shortly after the 2008 Financial Crisis, Bowyer befriended Owen Hanson, an international drug kingpin and former USC football walk-on, ESPN reported this spring.
—Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Former drug kingpin Rayful Edmond, whose dealing fueled the 1980s crack epidemic in Washington, D.C. died Tuesday, months after being released from prison.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kingpin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kingpin
Noun
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In a letter to members sent Wednesday morning, leaders assured the community that the congregation’s Torah scrolls had been rescued from the sanctuary, chapel and classrooms before the fire destroyed the building.Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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The two leaders were also reportedly meant to have a meeting during this time, and Saqr said that it was delayed.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 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
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Many theories persist as to what happened, whether Tony was killed or whether the cliffhanger insinuates that the mob boss would always live with the possibility of being murdered because of his dangerous profession.Skyler Trepel, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Adapting to your boss’s communication style can lead to better collaboration and more effective decision-making.Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Boost from the bigs Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. were aggressive on offense from the jump.Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
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In Broome, Auburn has one of the most skilled bigs in the country.Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Nowak, the young foreman of few words, oversees all the wiring.Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Big Story Elon Musk’s growing influence over Trump, D.C. The tech magnate, who once largely eschewed politics, now has a political clout of his own to throw around as President-elect Trump heads back to the Oval Office.Julia Shapero, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025
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The shipping magnate — who also owns Olympiacos in Piraeus, Athens — brought the case against Irini Karipidis, chairperson of rival club Aris Thessaloniki, and three other claimants, including Ari Harow, formerly the chief of staff to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Kevin Coulson, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Wright holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in emergency management and homeland security and is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University in Illinois.Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
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Most of The Row’s handbags skip the flash of any hardware, but this rare jewel masters the art of glamorous ease with its metal fastening.Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This version of the list, sent to the mayor’s office in February 2023, included celebrities, sports team owners, real estate tycoons and financiers.Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
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But the real estate tycoon tells Forbes the investment will be done through his data center company Edgnex, financed in part by the company’s own cash and largely through bank loans.Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Kingpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kingpin. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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