cronyism
noun
cro·ny·ism
ˈkrō-nē-ˌi-zəm 
: partiality to cronies especially as evidenced in the appointment of political hangers-on to office without regard to their qualifications
Did you know?
The word cronyism evolved in the 19th century as a spin-off of crony, meaning “friend” or “pal.” In its younger days, cronyism simply meant “friendship,” or “the ability to make friends.” The word didn’t turn bad until the next century, when Americans starting using it to refer to the act of playing political favorites. If cronyism is new to your vocabulary, perhaps you’re more familiar with the related term nepotism, meaning “favoritism based on kinship, especially in professional and political contexts.”
Examples of cronyism in a Sentence
The mayor has been accused of cronyism.
Recent Examples on the Web
This would reduce patronage and cronyism, which have plagued our city for decades.
—
Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Wu was asked about Flaherty’s quarter-million dollar payout through a severance agreement, and purported cronyism revealed by Commission records that show the agency’s Executive Director Henry Vitale had two sister-in-laws and a nephew on the payroll last year.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Which is the appropriate thing to say even in the absence of cronyism.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism.
—Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
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.
Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Wu was asked about Flaherty’s quarter-million dollar payout through a severance agreement, and purported cronyism revealed by Commission records that show the agency’s Executive Director Henry Vitale had two sister-in-laws and a nephew on the payroll last year.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Which is the appropriate thing to say even in the absence of cronyism.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism.
—Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cronyism
Cite this Entry
“Cronyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cronyism. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share