NEPOTISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

nepotism

noun

Definition of nepotism

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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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 In an unstable industry with IP, nepotism and maybe even now artificial intelligence ruling supreme, Ridd and Boa have doubled down on emerging filmmakers with original stories. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 Where does one look for models if élites and powerful decision-makers seem to have ascended through nepotism or greed rather than through merit? — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 James hears the nepotism claims. — Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026 Unsurprisingly, whispers and accusations of nepotism surround Max’s appointment, with Leon Rice having led the program as head coach since 2010, and the father-son connection is undeniably part of why Max returned to Boise State. — Shaun Goodwin june 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nepotism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nepotism

Noun

Barely out of her teens, the Black and Anishinaabe sculptor had already weathered racial prejudice, false accusations and the abrupt end of her education at Oberlin College.

— Andrew Alexander, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Factors affecting the intensity of racial profiling The forcefulness of police prejudice against minority groups depends on historical and social circumstances.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prejudice

Noun

Admitting his bias, Simmons, who watched another Trojan, Makai Lemon, get selected in the first round, believed Lane was talented enough to go as early as the late first round.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
For healthcare providers, this is a lesson on potential sources of bias, Tang said.

— Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bias

Noun

The pro-Russia conservative leader ruled for 20 years in total, leaving a web of corrupt cronyism in highly compromised state institutions.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
In this series finale, Whitehead presents his New York City as an urbanscape rife with brutality, cronyism and corruption, increasingly fed by unbridled capitalism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

Definition of cronyism

Noun

Most obvious, Black candidates for elite jobs, grants, and prizes, who had previously faced many barriers, were benefiting, in various institutions and workplaces, from a new kind of favoritism.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
As tennis has grown and the four Grand Slams — and their respective national tennis federations — have grown more powerful with it, that favoritism has evolved into something far less wild and far more predictable.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of favoritism

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ne plus ultras

nepotism

Neptune

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“Nepotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nepotism. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nepotism

noun

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