favoritism

noun

Definition of favoritismnext
as in bias
the unfair practice of treating some people better than others The favoritism of the boss led to many disgruntled employees. He accused the teacher of showing favoritism in assigning grades.

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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 favoritism In 2024, a Veolia North America subsidiary sued the City-Parish of Baton Rouge after losing a bid for its wastewater operations and management contract, alleging the procurement process was unfair, noncompliant and guided by favoritism. — Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Board members went on to say its members have also witnessed concerning conduct, such as false accusations, misinformation and favoritism. — Aubrey Wright, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2026 Trump officials say any such favoritism violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law that forbids discrimination in education and other public places and was created to fight segregation and its effect. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Trump officials say any such favoritism violates Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law that forbids discrimination in education and was created to fight segregation and its impact. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for favoritism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favoritism
  1. bias
  2. prejudice
  3. nepotism
  4. cronyism
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Democrats have continued to invoke Epstein as a personification of Washington cronyism throughout this election cycle.
    — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Personal bias … petty jealousies … vendettas … cronyism … axes to grind.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of cronyism

Browse Nearby Words

favorite sons
favoritism
favors
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Cite this Entry

“Favoritism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favoritism. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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