1
as in associate
a person frequently seen in the company of another
the criminal's cronies were also closely questioned about the illegal gambling operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
only my cronies can call me by my nickname
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crony
And the job is to separate those working-class voters from the cronies.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
That will benefit crony capitalists, not consumers.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
The strike had been touched off by employees of PDVSA, the Venezuelan national oil company, who objected to Chavez summarily firing experienced, technocratic PDVSA executives and replacing them with political cronies.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Because all the wealth of that country was stolen to the benefit of Maduro and his cronies and the regime, but not to the benefit of people of Venezuela.
—NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crony
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
That will benefit crony capitalists, not consumers.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
The strike had been touched off by employees of PDVSA, the Venezuelan national oil company, who objected to Chavez summarily firing experienced, technocratic PDVSA executives and replacing them with political cronies.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Because all the wealth of that country was stolen to the benefit of Maduro and his cronies and the regime, but not to the benefit of people of Venezuela.
—NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crony
Noun
-
Until this year, folks celebrating a birthday or anniversary or other cake-worthy occasion had to go to the store and fill out an actual paper order form and then hand it in to a Costco associate.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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The case has ensnared senior officials and members of Ukraine’s business elite — including a former close associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his pre-political media career — and caused concern among Kyiv’s Western allies.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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And while the two friends are both experts in the field, each has a very different journey to becoming an Olympian.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Schanelec shoots exclusively in the natural habitats of Thomas (a construction worker) and Carla (a nursery school teacher), introducing a handful of their friends and colleagues along the way.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
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Welch was a lawyer at a prominent Boston law firm, and his legal team included colleague Fred Fisher, who had been a member of the left-leaning National Lawyers’ Guild while attending Harvard Law School.—
Kristen Monroe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This is a huge deal to your buddy who loves ski racing, and to anyone who lives in Austria.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
18 Feb. 2026
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Instead, what started as a way for three buddies to stay in contact early in the pandemic morphed into something far more significant.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Luz’s accomplice, Donnie (Wes Chatham), makes the delivery to Helvig’s home while Luz hides on the boat.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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Ragan and his accomplice, whom authorities have not found, were on their way out when Ragan turned and fired twice inside the salon, hitting both Vu and his son Aaron.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Seconds of disaster, hours of harrowing wait A disaster that unfolded in seconds left a group of survivors waiting on a mountainside for hours in frigid temperatures, knowing that many of their peers would not be making it out alive.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The nonprofit provides a variety of services for veterans, including assistance with food, peer counseling, housing and employment.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Villagrán conducted research on Chilean Air Force officers and non-commissioned officers who were tortured by their own comrades for refusing to participate in the coup.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
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Jonny Diamond, our fearless editor, has been energized this week by our comrades in Minneapolis.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crony. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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