Cronyism
noun /ˈkrəʊ.ni.ɪ.z(ə)m/ — The appointment of friends to positions of power without regard to qualifications.
Definition
The appointment of close friends to positions of power or authority, without proper regard for their qualifications or ability. Distinguished from nepotism by closeness of friendship rather than family relation. Both corrupt the systems they touch.
Beyond the definition
Cronyism is the corruption of loyalty. Loyalty is a virtue — standing by those who have stood by you. But when loyalty overrides competence in the distribution of power, it becomes a private tax on everyone else.
Origin & history
English: 'crony' (close friend, companion) + '-ism'. 'Crony' may derive from Greek 'khronios' (long-lasting) — a long-time companion. The practice of favouring cronies has been documented in political systems worldwide.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The inquiry found systematic cronyism: contracts awarded to firms connected to members of the committee.
He refused to hire cronies, even when pressed — he knew it would corrode the team.
Cronyism produces the same outcome in every system: people rewarded for who they know rather than what they can do.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Cronyism” when the meaning fits your context: The appointment of close friends to positions of power or authority, without proper regard for their qualifications or ability. Distinguished from nepotism by closeness of friendship rather than family relation. Both corrupt the systems they touch.
Synonyms
Antonyms
meritocracy, fairness, transparency
Related words
Cronyism vs nepotism
Cronyism focuses on political or social cronies, whereas nepotism is strictly tied to blood relatives or family connections.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Dominant Adult With Excluded Colleague
Two adults stand in a room, one standing tall and pointing, the other looking down, excluded from the process.
The power imbalance shows the potential for cronyism, where the dominant figure excludes others to favor those within their inner circle, corrupting the system by disregarding external qualifications.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Cronyism" mean?
Cronyism is noun meaning: The appointment of friends to positions of power without regard to qualifications.. The appointment of close friends to positions of power or authority, without proper regard for their qualifications or ability. Distinguished from nepotism by closeness of friendship rather than family relation. Both corrupt the systems they touch.
Where does the word "Cronyism" come from?
English: 'crony' (close friend, companion) + '-ism'. 'Crony' may derive from Greek 'khronios' (long-lasting) — a long-time companion. The practice of favouring cronies has been documented in political systems worldwide.