nepotism

Word family

• nepotistic
  adjectiveC2
• nepotist
  nounC2
• nepotistically
  adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe systems of giving advantage, but they differ in who benefits and how the practice is viewed. 'Favouritism' is the broadest term — it covers any kind of preferential treatment, from a teacher giving a student easier marks to a boss promoting a family member. 'Nepotism' narrows this to family relationships specifically, and usually carries a strong sense of corruption or unfairness. 'Cronyism' is nepotism's close cousin: it means giving jobs or favours to old friends rather than relatives, and it often appears alongside nepotism in criticism of governments or corporate boards. 'Patronage' is less personal — it describes a system in which leaders distribute jobs, contracts, or honours to political supporters, not necessarily friends or family. At the opposite end sits 'meritocracy', where advancement depends on ability rather than connection. For example: a mayor who gives his brother a city contract is practising nepotism; if he gives it to a college roommate, that is cronyism; if he gives it to a party donor, that is patronage. Only if the contract goes to the lowest bidder is the system meritocratic.

Common collocations

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'nepos', meaning 'nephew' or 'grandchild'. In medieval times, some popes and church officials gave important positions to their nephews — who were often their illegitimate sons. The term was first used in English in the 1600s to describe this kind of family favouritism, and it later spread to any situation where people in power help their relatives.