nepotism

noun nep·o·tism \ ˈne-pə-ˌti-zəm \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: nepotism in a Sentence

Editor's Note: nepotism Has Papal Origins

Definition of nepotism

: favoritism (as in appointment to a job) based on kinship

accused the company of fostering nepotism in promotions

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nepotistic

play \ˌne-pə-ˈti-stik\ adjective

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Examples of nepotism in a Sentence

Nepotism has hurt the company.

Recent Examples of nepotism from the Web

The term refers to the common use of nepotism and cronyism in daily life, especially in hiring.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "The source of Jordan’s river of discontent," 11 June 2018
Not after nepotism got him the job — his father, Jerry, took over the team in 2015, then plucked Bryan, twice a failure elsewhere, from the NBA scrap heap.

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "Could Bryan Colangelo have saved his job if he handled Twittergate differently, throwing his wife under the bus? | Marcus Hayes," 9 June 2018
Most research shows takeovers are generally successful when used to fix dysfunctional central offices, especially in cases involving nepotism or financial malfeasance.

— mandy mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "Research: Takeovers of urban districts like JCPS usually don't work," 31 May 2018
The massive spending and the contracts that were awarded drew accusations of corruption and nepotism.

— sabra ayres, latimes.com, "'We're the fans. We make the party': Icy relations aside, soccer fans pour into Russia for World Cup," 12 June 2018
For some critics, Bryan Colangelo’s hiring had more to do with nepotism than being a two-time NBA executive of the year.

— keith pompey, Philly.com, "If Bryan Colangelo is fired, how will his Sixers' tenure be remembered?," 2 June 2018
No one made any charges of nepotism because, frankly, everyone wanted to work with her.

— kenny leon, ajc, "‘Take You Wherever You Go’," 25 May 2018
His latest report on nepotism disclosed the number of managers and supervisors who have relatives on staff.

— adam ashton, sacbee, "30 percent of California tax agency managers have a relative on staff | The Sacramento Bee," 18 May 2018
Sheamus and Cesaro should file a protest to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission based on nepotism.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "WrestleMania 34 is full of Flair, but Rousey, Nicholas steal the show | Miami Herald," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nepotism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

nepotism Has Papal Origins

During his papacy from 1471-1484, Sixtus IV granted many special favors to members of his family, in particular his nephews. This practice of papal favoritism was carried on by his successors, and in 1667 it was the subject of Gregorio Leti's book Il Nepotismo di Roma-titled in the English translation, The History of the Popes' Nephews. Shortly after the book's appearance, nepotism began to be used in English for the showing of special favor or unfair preference to any relative by someone in any position of power, be it ecclesiastical or not. (The "nep-" spelling is from nepote, a 17th-century variant of Italian nipote, meaning "nephew.")