as in prejudice
disapproving
the unfair practice by a powerful person (such as a politician) of giving jobs and other favors to friends
The mayor has been accused of cronyism.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 cronyism
Far from progress, this is cronyism dressed as fairness, and it's being forced on nations worldwide under the OECD's banner.
—
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Instead, DeSantis has earned a doctorate in cronyism.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Now, some 114 years later, Californians have reached their limit with the cozy cronyism between the commission and the private utilities it is required to keep in check.
—Loretta Lynch, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
But the administrative state is the quiet hand of cronyism working for decades in the most inefficient, sinister ways.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Instead, DeSantis has earned a doctorate in cronyism.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Now, some 114 years later, Californians have reached their limit with the cozy cronyism between the commission and the private utilities it is required to keep in check.
—Loretta Lynch, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
But the administrative state is the quiet hand of cronyism working for decades in the most inefficient, sinister ways.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism
Noun
-
The case was dismissed with prejudice in July 2022 after both parties reached a confidential settlement, effectively closing the matter permanently.—
Michael Dorgan , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Although prejudice and ignorance likely play some role in shaping attitudes—and elite politicians are powerful forces in driving public opinion—the fact is that many citizens have genuine concerns about immigration that cannot be ignored.—
Alexander Kustov,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Police said the officer could not see the occupant’s identity or race prior to approaching the car and denied that bias played a role in the interaction.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
That has become a hot button issue, with both the left and the right side of the political aisle accusing the chatbot of bias.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the obvious silliness of his methodology, which, among other issues, does not separate the advantages of nepotism from those of talent, Galton’s theories remain influential; students taking the modern MCAT, more than half of whom are women, are expected to be familiar with his work.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
The institutional nature of these disparities is furthered by the role of nepotism and legacy admissions in higher education.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Draw legislative district boundaries based on favoritism and not the broad public interest?—
Peter Jensen,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Aug. 2025
-
As agencies begin translating priorities into rules and funding decisions, implementation could drift into partisan favoritism.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share