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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Examples of nepotism in a Sentence
Nepotism has hurt the company.
Recent Examples of nepotism from the Web
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Nepotism — and letting the love of your son interfere with the good of the team.
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Ivanka, 35, sat with the leaders of China, Russia, Turkey, Germany and Great Britain, prompting many to condemn her lack of qualifications and accuse the Trump administration of nepotism.
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Ivanka Trump has inspired at least one Hollywood writer to practice a little nepotism.
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In November, Yangon’s chief minister filed a lawsuit against both the editor and CEO of Eleven Media Group, alleging defamation after an editorial was published accusing an unnamed minister of corruption and nepotism in a local real estate dealing.
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The government has announced legislation to clean up corruption and nepotism in politics, a major reform of worker protections, a bill to extend the state of emergency until November and another one to introduce permanent security measures.
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Until recently, such nepotism wouldn't raise an eyebrow.
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Arguably, along with women’s entrepreneurialism (which the princess of nepotism touts without self-awareness) and child care, climate change ranks at the top of Ivanka’s issue list.
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The appointment led to accusations of nepotism and worries over possible conflicts of interest, although the Department of Justice said in an opinion before Kushner was sworn in that the appointment did not violate any laws.
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.")
Origin and Etymology of nepotism
French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nepote nephew, from Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew — more at nephew
Other Government and Politics Terms
NEPOTISM Defined for English Language Learners
nepotism
playDefinition of nepotism for English Language Learners
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: the unfair practice by a powerful person of giving jobs and other favors to relatives
Learn More about nepotism
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See words that rhyme with nepotism Spanish Central: Translation of nepotism Nglish: Translation of nepotism for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nepotism
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