kingmaker
noun
king·mak·er
ˈkiŋ-ˌmā-kər 
: one having great influence over the choice of candidates for political office
Examples of kingmaker in a Sentence
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In the last five years, perhaps only Paramount’s Yellowstone has proven to be more of a kingmaker than a Whiskey Myers opening slot for rising stars.
—
Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
Their sudden emergence as brokers and kingmakers in Syria raises the prospect of a realignment of the Arab Middle East.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Dec. 2024
And yet — because of how Germany’s political system is structured — Mr. Lindner retains a chance to play a kingmaker role in the formation of the next government.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Getty Images The AfD is poised to play kingmaker in any coalition emerging from elections in Germany next week.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingmaker
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Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
Their sudden emergence as brokers and kingmakers in Syria raises the prospect of a realignment of the Arab Middle East.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Dec. 2024
And yet — because of how Germany’s political system is structured — Mr. Lindner retains a chance to play a kingmaker role in the formation of the next government.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Getty Images The AfD is poised to play kingmaker in any coalition emerging from elections in Germany next week.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kingmaker
Cite this Entry
“Kingmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingmaker. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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