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

And yet, wild cards and home-country favoritism remain pro forma in tennis, even though at every tournament there are plenty of players, ranked far higher than the people awarded special entry, who are on the outside looking in. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 June 2025

Kevin Stefanski and the Browns are not going to show favoritism in this quarterback competition. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

Hawkins plays Laura like a sinister kindergarten teacher, all chunky jewelry and blatant favoritism. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 May 2025

Some on social media accused police of escorting and even showing favoritism to the marchers. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025

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