honcho

noun

ˈhän-(ˌ)chō How to pronounce honcho (audio)
Definition of honchonext
1
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group the office was all abuzz because some honchos from corporate headquarters were coming for a visit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boss
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do he's definitely the head honcho in that company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of honcho The fate of Runway now in the hands of Elias Clark scion Jay and his team of cutthroat management consultants, Andy, seeking a lifeline, reaches out to Dior honcho Emily and her bizarre tech billionaire biohacker boyfriend Benji Barnes (Justin Theroux). — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 But now that Donovan has taken himself out of the picture, what will the next Bulls honcho be looking for in a new coach? — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 Marvel Studios honcho Kevin Feige took the stage in Las Vegas on Thursday to close out Disney‘s presentation. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 Beyond head-honcho Evilgiane’s handful of major placements, SG keep themselves busy by engaging with whoever's bubbling under the surface. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honcho
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honcho
  1. heavyweight
  2. boss
  3. big
  4. leader
  5. heavy
  6. foreman
  7. magnate
  8. chief
Noun
  • Coming into the fight, the headlines were all about Itauma, the 21-year-old Brit with a chance to make history by becoming the youngest heavyweight to win a world title since Mike Tyson did so at age 20 in 1986.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • How would Leading Change be able to knock heads against the heavyweights of the division at a mile and a quarter distance?
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavyweight
Noun
  • But will the new Fed boss keep investors guessing on the central bank’s rate path and his views on the Treasury’s intervention in the bond market?
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Rebels are likely to be favored when Golding hosts his former boss in Week 3.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • The third-year big is in one of the best stretches of her young career and arguably her best with Atlanta.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of big
Noun
  • Fans, artists, and leaders across all industries are mourning the star whose relentless optimism, grace, and resilience was a shining light.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Burch, who wasn't known for being particularly close with her neighbors before, emerged as vocal leader—and a lightning rod for deal proponents.
    — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of leader
Noun
  • The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The one-room restaurant retains the clean, minimalist aesthetic that Anthony has cultivated at the upscale sushi counter but has more stone incorporated into the space than a traditional, wood-heavy omakase would.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of heavy
Noun
  • In the mechanical maintenance shop, five employees and the foreman escaped, but two were killed from exposure to the chemical, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Corey Sooter, 44, a foreman for an electrical company working on the project, died on June 10.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of foreman
Noun
  • Sargeant, a Florida oil magnate, had come under fire from Venezuelan opposition figures and US allies for allegedly propping up Maduro.
    — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Ryan Reynolds is already something of a modern-day Renaissance man, being a highly successful actor, billionaire business mogul, and global soccer magnate.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of magnate
Noun
  • On Sunday, Roman Goffman, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, met again with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Jordan to ease the latest tensions, according to the Syrian state news agency.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The pilots could not see the runway and were flying by instruments, Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said Friday.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of chief

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Cite this Entry

“Honcho.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honcho. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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