as in bias
the unfair practice of treating some people better than others
The favoritism of the boss led to many disgruntled employees. He accused the teacher of showing favoritism in assigning grades.
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Recent Examples of favoritism
Though some members of Congress have expressed concerns about Isaacman's relationship with SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, citing the potential for bias or favoritism, Isaacman's nomination has been favorably received by much of the space community.
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Dec. 2025
Netanyahu’s open favoritism toward Republicans has not only enabled him to undermine policies supported by a majority of Americans but also contributed to declining support for Israel among Democrats.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Signs of a dog's favoritism include following them around, wagging their tail, maintaining consistent eye contact, showing affection, and rubbing their face against them.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Is the pay bump a result of favoritism?
—Emily Nix, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for favoritism
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Dec. 2025
Netanyahu’s open favoritism toward Republicans has not only enabled him to undermine policies supported by a majority of Americans but also contributed to declining support for Israel among Democrats.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Signs of a dog's favoritism include following them around, wagging their tail, maintaining consistent eye contact, showing affection, and rubbing their face against them.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Is the pay bump a result of favoritism?
—Emily Nix, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for favoritism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favoritism
Noun
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In the current atmosphere, where so many have been conditioned to believe that the news media is a liberal wasteland, confirmation bias helps with the heavy lifting.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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Such strategies use a complex mix of statistical models, machine-learning algorithms, factors and other quantitative signals to identify — and bet on — upward and downward moves in markets, removing human emotion and biases from the investment process.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Along the way, Daisy and Hoke each will confront, acknowledge and, in a way, overcome their own often-unthinking prejudice.—
Oline Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
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Pope Leo marked Holocaust Remembrance Day with a forceful plea for a world free of antisemitism, prejudice, and persecution.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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District officials placed Brenda Smith on administrative leave last week and launched an internal investigation into her actions, as well as into nepotism and conflicts of interest at the district.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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Zane Camacho has a larger-than-life clownlike energy as Finch’s nemesis, Bud Frump, a mail-room clerk who got his job via nepotism.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Think of the major alternatives, which include popularity, wealth, cronyism, nepotism or a lottery system.—
Kenji Yoshino,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Public trust in the justice system is eroded when political cronyism is rewarded over fairness, when accountability is resisted, and when devastating errors are defended instead of confronted.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Favoritism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favoritism. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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