kahunas
/kəˈhuːnəz/
NOUN
1. Hawaiian priests or religious practitioners
Traditional Hawaiian religious practitioners who possess specialized spiritual knowledge and may perform ceremonies, healing, or other sacred duties.
1.1. Religious and spiritual practitioners
People who perform traditional Hawaiian spiritual practices, conduct ceremonies, or provide religious guidance and healing.
Synonyms
- priests
- shamans
- spiritual healers
- medicine men
- religious practitioners
- spiritual leaders
Examples
- The kahunas performed traditional ceremonies to bless the community.
- The villagers sought guidance from experienced kahunas who preserved ancient spiritual knowledge.
Related Words
- healers
- clerics
- sages
- spiritual guides
- ritualists
1.2. Traditional Hawaiian experts
People recognized for specialized knowledge or mastery in traditional Hawaiian disciplines such as navigation, medicine, fishing, or craftsmanship.
Synonyms
- experts
- specialists
- masters
- practitioners
- authorities
- skilled professionals
Antonyms
- novices
- beginners
- amateurs
- laypeople
Examples
- The kahunas passed their traditional navigation skills on to younger generations.
- Several respected kahunas demonstrated ancient Hawaiian healing techniques.
Related Words
NOUN
2. Important or influential people
People regarded as powerful, prominent, or highly influential within an organization, industry, or community.
2.1. Powerful and influential individuals
People who hold considerable authority, status, or influence in a particular organization, industry, or social group.
Synonyms
- bigwigs
- big shots
- VIPs
- moguls
- magnates
- heavyweights
- kingpins
- honchos
- tycoons
- nabobs
- movers and shakers
- notables
- dignitaries
- luminaries
Antonyms
- nobodies
- nonentities
- lightweights
- subordinates
- underlings
- small-timers
Examples
- The company's top kahunas gathered to discuss the proposed acquisition.
- Several industry kahunas attended the conference to discuss emerging technologies.
Related Words
- leaders
- chiefs
- bosses
- executives
- authorities
- prominent figures
- power brokers
2.2. Leading experts and authorities
People widely recognized for exceptional expertise, experience, or achievement in a particular field.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- amateurs
- novices
- beginners
- inexperienced people
Examples
- The conference brought together the leading kahunas in cybersecurity.
- These marketing kahunas shared their knowledge with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Related Words
- professionals
- virtuosos
- pioneers
- scholars
- connoisseurs
- masterminds