nepotism
noun
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Nepotism Has Papal Origins
We happen to have neither Merriams nor Websters on our staff at Merriam-Webster, and familial connections to the company’s founders do not provide an advantage to job applicants. If it were otherwise, we might be accused of nepotism—that is, favoritism based on kinship, especially in professional contexts. English speakers have kept nepotism in the family since the late 1600s, having adopted it from the French, who were inspired by Gregorio Leti's 1667 book Il nipotismo di Roma (English title: The History of the Popes' Nephews). The book explores a practice introduced by Pope Sixtus IV: during his papacy in the late 15th century he granted many special favors to members of his family, in particular to his nephews. This practice of papal favoritism was carried on by his near successors. Today, nepotism is mostly associated with business and politics. In recent informal English use, the shortened form nepo has been hitched to the denigrating term baby to refer especially to celebrities who had a parent (or two) who were also in the entertainment industry.
Examples of nepotism in a Sentence
Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
His role has raised questions about potential violations of the 1967 federal nepotism law, which bars officials from appointing or promoting relatives to civilian positions under their control.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
The son is called out as the poster child for nepotism.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
His organization exists to dismantle the nepotism and gatekeeping pervasive in the art world.
—Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nepotism
Cite this Entry
“Nepotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nepotism. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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nepotism
noun
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