CRONYISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

cronyism

noun

Definition of cronyism

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 Last-minute maneuvers to force the hands of aldermen on what looks more like appointments of friends and allies than people with leadership potential is cronyism that is being supported by those the mayor chooses to surround himself with. — Nik Hunder, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 The quick exit has led to a reckoning within South Korea's football world — fueled by intense anger over accusations of favoritism and cronyism involved in the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 July 2026 Lowering taxes on businesses across the board not only avoids the problems of cronyism and favoritism, but gives everyone a better chance to grow and succeed. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 July 2026 This is the wrong time for a baseball stadium — or anything that looks frivolous or smacks of cronyism. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cronyism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism

Noun

Of course, one is inevitably loaded with expectations and prejudices, but the ideal of letting the work teach you how to consider it, as the philosopher Stanely Cavell counseled, is a useful starting point.

— Lola Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
Misty is a long-ago Emmy winner whose career has slipped through her fingers, in part because of reckless behavior on and off the set and and in part because of racist and ageist prejudices in casting.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of prejudice

Noun

Recruitment materials provided by the district promoted confidence-building and leadership activities, including confronting bias and challenging stereotypes.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Then, entities like White Circle could possibly form a coalition to help detect AI threats in real time, without suffering from biases.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bias

Noun

Sorry but this nepotism and bravolebrity entitlement does not put him above the law.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Recently, he’s been following the reaction to musician Stella Lefty, who has been subject to accusations of plagiarism and nepotism — some people going so far as to claim that her father, Eric Lefkofsky, was somehow an AI mastermind of her career.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of nepotism

Noun

Daycare owners often contribute to their campaigns, leading to concerns about favoritism.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Regardless of how these questions are answered, some degree of favoritism would be unavoidable because not every company would benefit.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of favoritism

Browse Nearby Words

crony

cronyism

crook

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cronyism

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes