kingmaker
Behind-the-scenes influencer
A kingmaker is someone who influences the selection of a leader without seeking the position themselves.
The term originated with the Earl of Warwick, who controlled English succession during the Wars of the Roses.
Now it applies broadly to power brokers in politics, business, or any realm where one person determines who rises to the top: The party chairman became a kingmaker, deciding which candidates received funding.
English place and surname
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- successionFollowing in order
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- regentInterim throne holder
dynasty · realm · heir · feudal · nobility · court · pretender · claimant
Supporter's financial backing
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- brokerTransaction intermediary for hire
- fixerOne who resolves issues
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
kingpin · puppeteer · lobbyist · caucus · cronyism · regime · oligarch · power broker
Performer controlling jointed figures
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
behind-the-scenes · cunning · calculating · orchestrator · mastermind · pulling strings · subterfuge · conniving
Top corporate officer
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- venture capitalistStartup equity investor
angel investor · backer · financier · promoter · sponsor · patron · mentor · headhunter
Gap or start
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- middlegameCentral chess phase
- endgameConcluding phase of competition
piece · development · position · tournament · grandmaster · title · candidate · challenger
Warwick
English place and surname
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- successionFollowing in order
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
regent · dynasty · realm · heir · feudal · nobility · court · pretender · claimant · usurper
patronage
Supporter's financial backing
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- brokerTransaction intermediary for hire
- fixerOne who resolves issues
coalition · kingpin · puppeteer · lobbyist · caucus · cronyism · regime · oligarch · power broker · dealmaker
puppeteer
Performer controlling jointed figures
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
maneuvering · behind-the-scenes · cunning · calculating · orchestrator · mastermind · pulling strings · subterfuge · conniving · Machiavellian
CEO
Top corporate officer
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
venture capitalist · angel investor · backer · financier · promoter · sponsor · patron · mentor · headhunter · rainmaker
opening
Gap or start
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- middlegameCentral chess phase
endgame · piece · development · position · tournament · grandmaster · title · candidate · challenger · championship
- bigwigsbigwig, big shot, big wig, VIP, big kahuna
- dominancedominance, dominant, supremacy, superiority, ascendancy
- influenceinfluence, persuasion, sway, clout, leverage
- power idiomspull strings, hold sway, call the shots, throw weight around, power play
- power metaphorsiron fist, iron grip, reins, puppet master, pulling strings
- trendsetterstrendsetter, trendsetters, influencer, fashionistas, style icons
kingmakerking
Male crowned ruler
candidate · puppet · figurehead · protégé · appointee
kingmakerkingslayer
Killer of monarchs
regicide · deposer · usurper · overthrower · dethroner