crony

noun

cro·​ny ˈkrō-nē 

plural cronies

: a close friend usually of long standing : pal

played golf with his cronies

often, specifically : a person who unfairly receives special treatment see also cronyism, crony capitalism

Synonyms of crony

• associate
• colleague
• buddy
• friend
• accomplice
• peer
• comrade

Examples of crony in a Sentence

The mayor rewarded his cronies with high-paying jobs after he was elected.

the criminal's cronies were also closely questioned about the illegal gambling operation

Recent Examples on the Web

The former official estimated that the state has seized around $60 billion in assets from private businessmen over the past three years, either outright nationalizing their property or redistributing it to cronies. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026

Limbo also marks a decisive break from the arch stylings of Cook and his cronies in favor of sounds that feel really good in your chest. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026

And so every May, around the time of the Derby, the NBA legend and his cronies would come to Harmony Landing for at least one round of golf. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026

This man and his cronies are almost singlehandedly destroying America. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Greek chronios long-lasting, from chronos time

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing crony

• crony capitalism

Rhymes for crony

• boney
• boni
• bony
• coney
• monie
• mony
• phoney
• phony
• stoney
• stony
• toney
• tony

Kids Definition

crony

noun

cro·​ny ˈkrō-nē 

plural cronies

: a close companion : pal

politicians who get jobs for their cronies