as in prejudice
disapproving
the unfair practice by a powerful person (such as a politician) of giving jobs and other favors to friends
The mayor has been accused of cronyism.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 cronyism
This would reduce patronage and cronyism, which have plagued our city for decades.
—
Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Wu was asked about Flaherty’s quarter-million dollar payout through a severance agreement, and purported cronyism revealed by Commission records that show the agency’s Executive Director Henry Vitale had two sister-in-laws and a nephew on the payroll last year.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Which is the appropriate thing to say even in the absence of cronyism.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism.
—Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Wu was asked about Flaherty’s quarter-million dollar payout through a severance agreement, and purported cronyism revealed by Commission records that show the agency’s Executive Director Henry Vitale had two sister-in-laws and a nephew on the payroll last year.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Which is the appropriate thing to say even in the absence of cronyism.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism.
—Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism
Noun
-
Anti-Japanese prejudice from the war extended to any Asians.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Warnings, repeatedly dismissed with prejudice, may eventually stop arriving.—
David V. Gioe,
Foreign Affairs,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Furthermore and worthy of many articles, is the risk that past biases are embedded into future AI, replicating and amplifying discriminatory patterns that deplete human rights and human freedom.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Auditability: Like humans, AI should be accountable for bias and error.—
David Ferrucci,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The News previously reported that her tenure has been punctuated by unusually high turnover among the middle and upper management ranks and allegations of favoritism and nepotism.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
-
His role has raised questions about potential violations of the 1967 federal nepotism law, which bars officials from appointing or promoting relatives to civilian positions under their control.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After God showed favoritism to Abel, Cain grew jealous and eventually murdered his brother.—
Brayden Garcia
July 11,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
-
This includes not showing favoritism and maintaining professionalism at all times.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share