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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Recent Examples of nepotism
Attorney Tony McDonald, representing Davis as chair of the local Republican Party, told the judge that without that nepotism acknowledgement, her application was invalid and Davis, who is also an attorney by trade, was required to reject it.
—
Eleanor Dearman
updated January 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
The nepotism extended to the next generation with Tim McDonnell, John and Chris’ nephew, joining the front office in 2013 as a pro scout.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
In a political environment where there’s a thirst to replace the establishment, being associated with a politician could backfire — and fuel accusations of nepotism.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
No industry is a stranger to nepotism.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nepotism
Eleanor Dearman
updated January 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
The nepotism extended to the next generation with Tim McDonnell, John and Chris’ nephew, joining the front office in 2013 as a pro scout.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
In a political environment where there’s a thirst to replace the establishment, being associated with a politician could backfire — and fuel accusations of nepotism.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
No industry is a stranger to nepotism.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nepotism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nepotism
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
-
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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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
-
Think of the major alternatives, which include popularity, wealth, cronyism, nepotism or a lottery system.—
Kenji Yoshino,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Maps would prioritize population equality, compactness, contiguity, and communities of interest, with no favoritism toward incumbents.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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The Bediako case is a nice counterexample to the favoritism argument; the first judge stepped aside when his relationship with the university, or at least the coverage and commentary surrounding it, was too close-knit to be ignored, and the second judge ruled against his alma mater.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nepotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nepotism. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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