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Definition of kingmaker

kingmaker

/ˈkɪŋˌmeɪkər/
king · mak · er
Plural:kingmakers
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kingmaker Lexical Profile

kingmaker Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person or group that possesses great political or social influence and is able to bring candidates to power without holding office themselves.

Example

"With neither major party winning an outright majority, the leader of the small centrist faction suddenly found himself in the role of kingmaker."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

kinglet
kinglike
kingly
kingmaker
kingpin
kings river
kingship

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 16th century as an epithet for Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick (1428–1471), who played a decisive role in the deposition of two English kings and the installation of two others during the Wars of the Roses.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kingmaker. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kingmaker
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