NEPOTISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

nepotism

noun

Definition of nepotism

as in prejudice

disapproving the unfair practice by a powerful person of giving jobs and other favors to relatives Nepotism by the owner has hurt the company because the new executives are not qualified for their jobs.

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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 nepotism In an unstable industry with IP, nepotism and maybe even now artificial intelligence ruling supreme, Ridd and Boa have doubled down on emerging filmmakers with original stories. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 Where does one look for models if élites and powerful decision-makers seem to have ascended through nepotism or greed rather than through merit? — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 James hears the nepotism claims. — Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026 Unsurprisingly, whispers and accusations of nepotism surround Max’s appointment, with Leon Rice having led the program as head coach since 2010, and the father-son connection is undeniably part of why Max returned to Boise State. — Shaun Goodwin june 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nepotism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nepotism

Noun

Asking about being alone with a Haitian, for instance, prompted a quick lecture on resisting the forces of prejudice.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026
An entire section dedicated to American prejudice included anti-Japanese signage and a Ku Klux Klan hood.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of prejudice

Noun

In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
The whole mess perfectly highlight how AI models can further biases deeply entrenched in their training data from the open web.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bias

Noun

The pro-Russia conservative leader ruled for 20 years in total, leaving a web of corrupt cronyism in highly compromised state institutions.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
In this series finale, Whitehead presents his New York City as an urbanscape rife with brutality, cronyism and corruption, increasingly fed by unbridled capitalism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

Definition of cronyism

Noun

His favoritism toward North Korea could destabilize the region and encourage South Korea and Japan—to say nothing of Iran and other rogue states—to pursue nuclear-weapons programs.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
As tennis has grown and the four Grand Slams — and their respective national tennis federations — have grown more powerful with it, that favoritism has evolved into something far less wild and far more predictable.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of favoritism

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ne plus ultras

nepotism

Neptune

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“Nepotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nepotism. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nepotism

noun

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