favoritism

noun

fa·​vor·​it·​ism ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-ˌti-zəm 

ˈfā-vər-

1

: the showing of special favor : partiality

2

: the state or fact of being a favorite

Examples of favoritism in a Sentence

He accused the teacher of showing favoritism in assigning grades.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Chief Wallabee, who is owned by Michael and Katherine Ball, has shown enough promise to merit favoritism — and possibly get Mott into the Florida Derby winner’s circle for the first time. —Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

At the time, Chao’s office denied showing any favoritism, saying that Kentucky’s share was not out of the ordinary. —Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026

At a time when political machines dominated state and city politics, Cleveland challenged patronage and favoritism. —Jacob Lane The Chicago Tribune, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026

Lane mentions how Cleveland fought patronage and favoritism but fails to state that his predecessor, Chester Alan Arthur, actually helped codify the Civil Service Exam for federal employees. —Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for favoritism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

favoritism

noun

fa·​vor·​it·​ism ˈfāv-(ə-)rət-ˌiz-əm 

: unfairly favorable treatment of some while neglecting others