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 would reduce patronage and cronyism, which have plagued our city for decades.
—
Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Wu was asked about Flaherty’s quarter-million dollar payout through a severance agreement, and purported cronyism revealed by Commission records that show the agency’s Executive Director Henry Vitale had two sister-in-laws and a nephew on the payroll last year.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Which is the appropriate thing to say even in the absence of cronyism.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism.
—Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Wu was asked about Flaherty’s quarter-million dollar payout through a severance agreement, and purported cronyism revealed by Commission records that show the agency’s Executive Director Henry Vitale had two sister-in-laws and a nephew on the payroll last year.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Which is the appropriate thing to say even in the absence of cronyism.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism.
—Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronyism
Noun
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The series maintains a light touch and a brisk pace while managing to touch on class disparity and cultural prejudice without ever feeling preachy or forced.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
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But as with most anything, inherent prejudice reared its ugly head.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
Noun
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This suggests that permeating gender bias in the hiring process may be what’s holding back women from being hired at all levels.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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Recency bias doesn't trust his ability to have an impact out West, but Brandon Graham assures NFL fans that Huff can still be very productive in the right system.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The son is called out as the poster child for nepotism.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
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His organization exists to dismantle the nepotism and gatekeeping pervasive in the art world.—
Byron Armstrong,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
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And yet, wild cards and home-country favoritism remain pro forma in tennis, even though at every tournament there are plenty of players, ranked far higher than the people awarded special entry, who are on the outside looking in.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Hawkins plays Laura like a sinister kindergarten teacher, all chunky jewelry and blatant favoritism.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronyism. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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