cronyism

noun

Definition of cronyismnext
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.

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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 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 While no rules were broken, the revelations conflicted with Starmer’s portrayal of himself as an antidote to the cronyism displayed by successive Conservative leaders. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 And to society, the implications of such blatant cronyism could be sweeping, from atrophying regulation and loss of accountability to further concentration of power and money among the wealthiest people on Earth. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism
  1. prejudice
  2. bias
  3. nepotism
  4. favoritism
Noun
  • Barely out of her teens, the Black and Anishinaabe sculptor had already weathered racial prejudice, false accusations and the abrupt end of her education at Oberlin College.
    — Andrew Alexander, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Factors affecting the intensity of racial profiling The forcefulness of police prejudice against minority groups depends on historical and social circumstances.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of prejudice
Noun
  • According to the American Civil Liberties Union in 2020, this technology can result in bias and inaccuracies.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Every public high school student will be required to complete two 45-minute AI-literacy modules, covering what AI is and is not, as well as bias, risks, ethics, careers and future skills.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bias
Noun
  • Yet, Stella Lefty’s rise has been hotly debated — conversations about nepotism, originality, and TikTok’s influence on the music industry have taken over.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Afterward, the internet went wild with accusations of cheating, nepotism, and more.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of nepotism
Noun
  • Most obvious, Black candidates for elite jobs, grants, and prizes, who had previously faced many barriers, were benefiting, in various institutions and workplaces, from a new kind of favoritism.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As tennis has grown and the four Grand Slams — and their respective national tennis federations — have grown more powerful with it, that favoritism has evolved into something far less wild and far more predictable.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of favoritism

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crony
cronyism
crook
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Cite this Entry

“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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