kingmake means to use one's influence to help someone else into a position of political power. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 93 out of 100.
Why “kingmake” is a great word
KINGMAKE — [Verb] To use one's influence, often from a position of secondary power, to elevate another to a position of political power or victory. It is a back-formation from 'kingmaker', itself from 'king' (a male monarch) and 'maker' (one who creates or causes). Unlike "endorse," which implies public, often formal support, or "collaborate," which suggests working jointly toward a shared goal, to kingmake is to exercise decisive, often shadowy leverage, deliberately sacrificing one's own chance at the throne to crown another. It is the whispered counsel in a smoke-filled room, the strategic withdrawal of a candidacy to swing delegates, or the deliberate, spiteful play of a card to ensure a rival's triumph—the architecture of power built by a hand that chooses to remain empty.
Etymology
Back-formation from kingmaker.
verb
- To use one's influence to help someone else into a position of political power.“Okay, you get on the extension in the other room and listen to me kingmake Percy President.”
- To play so as to cause another player to win.“I do dislike it if part of the skill of playing consists of manipulating the people who are out of the running to get them to kingmake for you.”