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Definition of cronyism
: partiality to cronies especially as evidenced in the appointment of political hangers-on to office without regard to their qualifications
From the M-W Editors
Examples of cronyism in a Sentence
The mayor has been accused of cronyism.
Recent Examples of cronyism from the Web
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But the underlying problems remain, including cronyism with many lenders too entwined with politicians, unions and foundations of all shapes and sizes.
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Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand all adopted sounder macroeconomic policies and made some effort to curb the cronyism that had accompanied earlier growth.
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The goal is to set a new course after controversies ignited by freewheeling spending and allegations of self-dealing and cronyism under former President James Ramsey.
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That shooting led to the temporary suspension of the reserve deputy program after a report found poor training of the volunteer officers, a lack of oversight, and cronyism.
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This appointment looks like the height of dumb cronyism from pretty much all angles.
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And that isn't even getting into the web of obfuscations, cronyism and incompetence that has tainted the Trump team from the earliest days of the campaign.
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Protect our state park, protect the integrity of our state park system and stand up to political cronyism.
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During the Soviet era, Radio Moscow had pushed socialist ideology abroad, but none of the hallmarks of Putin’s Russia—he-man nationalism, Orthodox Christianity, cronyism—were so easily exportable.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cronyism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of cronyism
1840
CRONYISM Defined for English Language Learners
cronyism
play
noun
Definition of cronyism for English Language Learners
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: the unfair practice by a powerful person (such as a politician) of giving jobs and other favors to friends
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