key player

NOUN

mover and shaker

Synonyms

WEAK

VIP achiever affluential catalyst doer enterprising person entrepreneur generator go-getter heavy hitter heavyweight leader lightning rod man of influence mover palpable presence pathfinder player presence producer spark plug trailblazer upstart wheeler and dealer whip

NOUN

influencer

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bellwether tastemaker

STRONG

authority doyen maven

WEAK

connoisseur consultant expert force guide mentor power specialist

NOUN

chief

Synonyms

STRONGEST

captain commander director head leader manager ruler superintendent supervisor

STRONG

President bigwig boss chieftain dictator foreperson general governor honcho monarch overlord overseer principal proprietor ringleader sovereign suzerain

WEAK

big cheese big gun big wheel head honcho head person top brass top cat

Antonyms

STRONGEST

employee follower

WEAK

apprentice servant subordinate underling worker

NOUN

director

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administrator chief executive head leader organizer player principal producer supervisor

STRONG

boss chair controller exec governor kingpin overseer skipper

WEAK

big person executive officer head honcho helmer person upstairs top dog top person

Antonyms

STRONGEST

employee follower worker

NOUN

executive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administration administrator boss chief commander director entrepreneur government leader management manager officer official supervisor

STRONG

CEO VIP brass businessperson co directorate exec governor head heavyweight hierarchy higher-up industrialist leadership skipper tycoon

WEAK

big wheel head honcho head person top brass

Antonyms

STRONGEST

employee follower worker

NOUN

principal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administrator boss chief dean director superintendent

STRONG

exec head lead leader preceptor protagonist rector ruler star

Antonyms

STRONGEST

employee worker

STRONG

commoner follower

WEAK

interest

NOUN

higher-up

Synonyms

STRONG

CEO VIP better boss brass chief chieftain director elder exec executive head heavyweight leader manager principal ruler senior supervisor

WEAK

head honcho

Antonyms

STRONG

employee follower junior worker

NOUN

mogul

Synonyms

STRONGEST

executive magnate tycoon

STRONG

VIP king notable personage potentate prince princess queen royalty

WEAK

top brass

NOUN

superior

Synonyms

STRONGEST

boss manager principal ruler supervisor

STRONG

CEO VIP brass chief chieftain director elder exec executive head heavyweight higher-up leader senior

WEAK

head honcho

Antonyms

STRONGEST

employee worker

STRONG

follower junior

WEAK

inferior servant

NOUN

protagonist

Synonyms

STRONGEST

central character central figure hero heroine lead character leading character leading figure main character main figure principal principal character principal figure

STRONG

central player leading player main player principal player star title role

WEAK

archetype idol

Antonyms

STRONGEST

antagonist

STRONG

bit player

WEAK

boss

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We already knew Lamine Yamal would be a key player at the World Cup.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

James is a key player for England and Tuchel will hope that the issue is not something that will keep him out of the tournament in the longer term.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

Clearly, D-Wave is working to position itself as a key player in the domestic quantum ecosystem.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

He’s hit two home runs this season and become a key player for the Royals.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Egypt would be a key player in his push to the east.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

key player

Example Sentences

Related Words