CRONYISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

cronyism

noun

Definition of cronyism

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.

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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 Huntington Beach has scrapped a brand management and marketing contract plan that had been clouded by community concerns over transparency and cronyism. — Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 May 2026 The biggest issues that are under-covered are cronyism and the abuse of power. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 He‘d look to make changes to the top command to reduce cronyism and restore trust. — Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 In 2002 the Editorial Board of this newspaper began publishing allegations detailing kickbacks by the DA’s staff, cronyism, and political prosecutions. — John O’Hara, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cronyism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism

Noun

The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning that the plaintiffs cannot refile.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Older Americans describe Israel as a precarious refuge against rising antisemitism, while some younger Jews say its military actions fuel prejudice, pushing them away from synagogues and institutional Jewish life.

— Giovanna Dell’Orto, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of prejudice

Noun

The key to passing legislation is treating all energy equally and making clear that final permits cannot be undone based on political bias on the left or the right.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Why LLMs struggle with spreadsheets Part of why structured data has garnered less attention is a very human bias, argues Boris van Breugel, a senior AI researcher based in Amsterdam.

— Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 9 July 2026

Definition of bias

Noun

Live-action Moana star Catherine Laga’aia praised nepotism ahead of her breakout role.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
In an unstable industry with IP, nepotism and maybe even now artificial intelligence ruling supreme, Ridd and Boa have doubled down on emerging filmmakers with original stories.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026

Definition of nepotism

Noun

Even when BookTok does rally around a quote-unquote serious writer—such as Sally Rooney or Ottessa Moshfegh—there is a veneer of genre favoritism and eerie self-identification.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026
King Charles’s apparent favoritism toward his eldest son, Prince William.

— Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 July 2026

Definition of favoritism

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crony

cronyism

crook

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“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cronyism

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