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

Under Adams, mayoral control has led to reckless decision-making, deepened segregation, and blatant cronyism. —Matt Gonzales, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025

Particularly since all too many sovereign wealth pools lead to cronyism. —William Pesek, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

People's eyes have been opened to the rampant cronyism and overregulation that have destroyed our healthcare system... —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025

State of play: Democrats have called the reform package corporate cronyism. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cronyism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

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