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
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
According to a new article by The New York Times, parenting favoritism is common across all types of families.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The letter details other claims of favoritism and disregard for recent board directives to curb spending, like attempting to hire for vacant positions and authorizing overtime expenditures despite the hiring and overtime freeze enacted in the board approved fiscal solvency plan.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for favoritism
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
According to a new article by The New York Times, parenting favoritism is common across all types of families.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The letter details other claims of favoritism and disregard for recent board directives to curb spending, like attempting to hire for vacant positions and authorizing overtime expenditures despite the hiring and overtime freeze enacted in the board approved fiscal solvency plan.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for favoritism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favoritism
Noun
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At American firms, accent bias can quietly shape whose ideas gain traction at work by depressing attention and engagement for speakers with nonnative English accents.—
Aliah Zewail,
Harvard Business Review,
17 Mar. 2026
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As the New York Times’ Kyle Buchanan has written, the Oscars’ infamous bias against young men is essentially a bias against heartthrobs — the more an actor appeals to young women, the more likely the largely male, largely middle-aged membership of the Academy is to write him off as a lightweight.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Either way, the distinct cultural disconnect between Wright’s art praxis and police officers’ prejudices leads to profound misunderstandings.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
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Along with the restaurant group, its executive Lesa Sorrentino and alleged investor Denis Stavinoha were dismissed with prejudice.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Multiple members of the public criticized the appointment, alleging nepotism.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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There were accusations of nepotism made when your son, Charlie, was appointed co-head of Vantage.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But controversial government efforts to redress inequalities have been plagued by corruption and cronyism.—
Michael H Gavshon,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Donlon’s lawsuit was just one of several complaints brought by veteran police officials who alleged a culture of rampant corruption and cronyism within the agency during Adams' time as mayor.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Favoritism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favoritism. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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