crony

noun

ˈkrō-nē How to pronounce crony (audio)
Definition of cronynext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crony Daniel isn’t this devil’s only minion; Armand’s got an Illumination movie’s worth of cronies doing his bidding. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026 Common also returns in the role of Judicial crony Robert Sims. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 July 2026 Meanwhile, opposition politicians have accused the president of crony capitalist tendencies in the treatment of his brother. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 8 July 2026 Both political factions’ cronies continually flatter and lie to them about how things are going. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crony
  1. associate
  2. friend
  3. colleague
  4. buddy
  5. accomplice
  6. peer
  7. comrade
Noun
  • The brand introduced professional instructors who travel across the country to train and support Claire’s store associates.
    — Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Western governments have shunned and sanctioned Min Aung Hlaing and his associates for overthrowing Suu Kyi's government.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of associate
Noun
  • My husband, for example, takes an annual golf trip with his friends.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Perez for his viscous public insults, from Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Perez.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of friend
Noun
  • But her colleagues were constantly discussing their latest stock trades.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Lesnar went on to thank all of his supporters and colleagues over the years.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of colleague
Noun
  • Hoyer had conversations with old buddy Scott Harris, the Detroit Tigers president, about acquiring Skubal, but nothing serious.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • A lot of local people could see him in their son, or boyfriend, or high school buddy who had ended up on the wrong path.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • The surviving suspect from an abduction in Chino Hills last week that ended with deputies killing his accomplice, moments after the victim had been executed, is being charged with murder, San Bernardino County prosecutors announced Monday.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
  • She was convicted the following year of being an accomplice to first-degree murder and has been serving life without parole ever since.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of accomplice
Noun
  • Unlike Chinese peers such as Xpeng and Xiaomi, Huawei doesn't make cars itself, but its HarmonyOS system essentially provides the brains for the body.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Guimaraes’ bravery on the ball in tight areas can be visualised above, as 12 passes made under high pressure per 90 ranks highly among his peers throughout the European game last season.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of peer
Noun
  • Trotsky refused to believe that those nearest him—his comrades, his friends—could be turned into weapons.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026
  • The broadcaster went on to shout out a couple of his fallen comrades.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of comrade

Browse Nearby Words

cronies
crony
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Cite this Entry

“Crony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crony. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of crony for Spanish Speakers

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