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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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 favoritism
Cunningham was also fined an undisclosed amount in late August for claiming the refs showed favoritism to WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
—
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Not wanting to show favoritism, Rebordinos is relucant to discuss this year’s competition lineup.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Over a century ago, the federal government pivoted from a spoils system, where political favoritism ruled the day, into a system that rewards merit, knowledge and experience.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
These licensing waivers are lawful in themselves, but Drake’s lawsuit claims they were weaponized for competitive advantage, raising questions about transparency, favoritism and whether artists outside the major label system can ever truly compete on equal footing.
—Jared Brenner, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for favoritism
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Not wanting to show favoritism, Rebordinos is relucant to discuss this year’s competition lineup.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Over a century ago, the federal government pivoted from a spoils system, where political favoritism ruled the day, into a system that rewards merit, knowledge and experience.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
These licensing waivers are lawful in themselves, but Drake’s lawsuit claims they were weaponized for competitive advantage, raising questions about transparency, favoritism and whether artists outside the major label system can ever truly compete on equal footing.
—Jared Brenner, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for favoritism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favoritism
Noun
-
In April, the foundation received a letter from 23 lawmakers about alleged antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Oct. 2025
-
However, some politicians have accused the agency of political bias for its work helping states protect their voting infrastructure from cyberattacks and external influence.—
Richard Forno,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That’s the bias, that’s the prejudice.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Amidst the outbreak of the 1910 Manchurian Plague, a young Chinese doctor must defy prejudices of both the East and the West to champion his groundbreaking theory of the disease and seek the truth that will heal it.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The nail industry—and the hair industry—operate on exploitative labor conditions buffeted by state connections and nepotism.—
Arabelle Sicardi,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Can’t anybody here play this game, the game in question being nepotism?—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Favoritism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favoritism. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share