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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nepotism
That disease is called nepotism, a pervasive affliction that transcends gender, reinforcing a broad spectrum of biases.
—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Jones’ father was one of the state’s most powerful machine Democrats who often batted away allegations of nepotism and famously gave a boost to the budding political career of Barack Obama, who rose from the Illinois Senate to eventually become president.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
In 2022, reports emerged of Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) allegedly accusing Buckley of using nepotism to get his job in Banks' office.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
As for underlying causes, some, like Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, pointed to networking — and nepotism.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nepotism
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Jones’ father was one of the state’s most powerful machine Democrats who often batted away allegations of nepotism and famously gave a boost to the budding political career of Barack Obama, who rose from the Illinois Senate to eventually become president.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
In 2022, reports emerged of Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) allegedly accusing Buckley of using nepotism to get his job in Banks' office.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
As for underlying causes, some, like Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, pointed to networking — and nepotism.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nepotism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nepotism
Noun
-
In his ruling, the judge criticized the DOJ’s request to dismiss the case without prejudice, which would have allowed for future prosecution, CNBC reports.—
ESSENCE Editors,
Essence,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Judge Dale Ho dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rights advocates have also raised concerns about Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias during the Israel-Gaza war.—
Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Distortions of lip size bias perceived facial attractiveness.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This would reduce patronage and cronyism, which have plagued our city for decades.—
Chicago Tribune,
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
Noun
-
This latest attack on free speech by the Trump administration violates a bedrock principle of this republic, namely that the government cannot display favoritism in regulating expression.—
Bastiaan Vanacker,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Rather than setting yourself up for more hurt feelings, do your best to forgive your parents for their favoritism and live your life.—
Harriette Cole,
The Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nepotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nepotism. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share