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Glite Dictionary
cronyism

cronyism

15 8.4
Giving jobs or positions to friends instead of qualified people
  • noun
  • /ˈkroʊniˌɪzəm/
  • Literature
translation icon : amiguismo
  • The politician faced backlash for his cronyism, as he appointed his friends to key positions instead of qualified candidates.
  • cronyism and corruption
  • such cronyism

But this firm was like basically, I think it's they call it Tory cronyism.

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Examples

  • Unfortunately, in reality, with such a path, corruption and cronyism typically lead to stagnant development.

    Blog text (15)

  • Their selection also created an impression of cronyism in hiring practices.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The goal is simply to ensure that cronyism is not the sole purpose and effect of the exercise of government power.

    Academic text (2016)

  • This is just plain cronyism and corruption and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

    LegalEagle

  • There was and is no negotiating and no competition, which is cronyism at its finest.

    Blog text (12)

  • Some say that corruption and political cronyism are an inevitable part of "the Greek reality."

    Blog text (1)

  • For many, corruption and political cronyism are seen as an inevitable part of Greek politics.

    Blog text (1)

  • Bush picked a nomination based on cronyism, not their qualifications and judicial philosophy.

    Blog text (4)

  • The common denominator is cronyism, favoring a select few at the expense of the public.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Pervasive corruption, favoritism, and cronyism have undermined the very substance and neutrality of public power.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

favoritism
vscronyism
  • US
23 3.9

Giving one person or group better treatment than others

refers to unfair preference specifically toward friends or associates in appointments
nepotism
vscronyism
20 7.2

Giving jobs and other advantages to family or friends unfairly

gives the same unfair preference but targets friends and associates not family
patronage
vscronyism
  • Formal
13 7.4

A government gives jobs or favors to supporters in return for political help

is about giving friends unfair preference without requiring political support in return
spoils system
vscronyism
1 8.5

Giving government jobs to supporters of the winning party

refers to favoring friends in appointments, not necessarily tied to election victories
mateship
vscronyism
  • Australian
8.4

Giving friends special treatment instead of being fair to others

focuses on official appointments or jobs rather than casual friendly help
clientelism
vscronyism
  • Specialized
9.5

A system where people in power give jobs or money to supporters for loyalty

focuses on personal preference without the explicit exchange for loyalty
wasta
vscronyism
9.9

Using personal connections to get favors or special help

is about favouring friends directly rather than general use of contacts
jobbery
vscronyism
  • Archaic
9.9

Using a public office to get personal money or benefits

concerns unfair friend appointments rather than private personal profiteering

Antonyms

fairness
236 1.9

Treating people equally and without bias

meritocracy
12 7.6

A society where people get jobs because of their skills and hard work, not money

Compounds

rampant cronyism
8.3

Giving jobs or benefits to friends instead of more qualified people

How Unfair

corruption
355 4.8
favoritism
  • US
23 3.9
cronyism
  • Literature
15 8.4
fairness
236 1.9

Surface Forms

cronyism singular
cronyisms plural

Morphology

cronyism = crony (transparent) = crony + ism

Formed by 'crony' (friend who is often favored) + the noun-forming suffix '-ism' denoting a practice or system; the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Cronyism comes from crony, an old word for a close friend, plus the ending -ism meaning 'practice'. So, cronyism is the practice of giving 'cronies' special treatment, which is why it now means favoring friends for jobs or political positions.