tycoon

noun

ty·​coon tī-ˈkün How to pronounce tycoon (audio)
Synonyms of tycoon
1
a
: a businessperson of exceptional wealth, power, and influence : magnate
b
: a top leader (as in politics)
2
: shogun

Synonyms of tycoon

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Examples of tycoon in a Sentence

an oil tycoon who's widely considered the most powerful man in the county
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, whose plans to launch satellite communications and dominance over the Indian telecom market have drawn the ire of Elon Musk last week, has a more pressing worry. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 On the one hand, many speculated about Tom Cruise‘s wild performance in the title role as a brash, eccentric oil tycoon responsible for an environmental disaster. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026 Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP The Journal also reported this weekend that Guilfoyle boasted in audio recordings about Greek businessmen who paid for her travel, and reportedly encouraged foreign governments to do business with one of the tycoons. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Set in 1969, the film follows how rising media tycoon Rupert Murdoch acquires UK newspaper The Sun and how his partnership with editor Larry Lamb (O’Connell) turns the paper into Britain’s most influential and at-times controversial tabloid. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tycoon

Word History

Etymology

Japanese taikun

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tycoon was in 1857

Rhymes for tycoon

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Browse Nearby Words

Tychy
tycoon
tydden
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Cite this Entry

“Tycoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tycoon. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tycoon

noun
ty·​coon tī-ˈkün How to pronounce tycoon (audio)
: a very wealthy and powerful business person
Etymology

Japanese taikun "shogun"

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