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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.

The company has emerged as a key player in the buildout of data centers, providing heavy machinery as well as power solutions.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Last season: Trost was a key player for a Tigers team that ranked eighth nationally in rushing offense.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Like Nvidia, TSMC’s position as a key player in the AI build-out has conveyed unmatched pricing power that is boosting its profits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

This approach pointed to an RNA-binding protein called DHX29 as a key player.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Dr. Barnard was a key player in this inner council and was said to be a protege of the president.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela