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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Recent Examples of cronyism
This move is uncomfortably reminiscent of China’s state capitalism, not to mention the attendant risks of cronyism.
—
Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Some might say there was a lot of cronyism involved, and there definitely was, but the DJs at WHRB put a lot of work into promoting us on the show Record Hospital.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
One year after her appointment, Karki faced an impeachment motion from the ruling coalition after her bench overturned the government’s choice for police chief, a decision seen as a defense of meritocracy against political cronyism.
—Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The absence of corruption, scandal, self-dealing and cronyism makes this a revitalizing break from real-world concerns, without in any way veering into sappy idealism.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Some might say there was a lot of cronyism involved, and there definitely was, but the DJs at WHRB put a lot of work into promoting us on the show Record Hospital.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
One year after her appointment, Karki faced an impeachment motion from the ruling coalition after her bench overturned the government’s choice for police chief, a decision seen as a defense of meritocracy against political cronyism.
—Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The absence of corruption, scandal, self-dealing and cronyism makes this a revitalizing break from real-world concerns, without in any way veering into sappy idealism.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism
Noun
-
Two other suits have been withdrawn or dismissed with prejudice.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly two months after she was shot, federal prosecutors dropped assault charges that had been filed against her, and a judge dismissed them with prejudice, which prevents the government from filing them against her again.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Robinson’s attorneys have ramped up claims of bias as the case has advanced, even accusing news outlets of using lip readers to deduce what the defendant is whispering to his attorneys during court hearings.—
Matthew Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Research suggests that when law enforcement treats people fairly, without bias and with respect, people will view them as more legitimate, and in turn may be more willing to cooperate with them.—
Aubrey Jackson Soller,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those two things are gatekeeping and nepotism.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Think of the major alternatives, which include popularity, wealth, cronyism, nepotism or a lottery system.—
Kenji Yoshino,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Certain players won’t receive favoritism over others because the head coach is afraid to confront them or wants to be their friend.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Following the money Hinojosa and Bell have tied Abbott’s private-school voucher push to a broader argument about favoritism, arguing the program steers public dollars to mostly Christian schools while benefiting wealthy contributors.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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