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nepotism

[ nep-uh-tiz-uh m ]

/ ˈnɛp əˌtɪz əm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR nepotism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and politics: She was accused of nepotism when she made her nephew an officer of the firm.

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Origin of nepotism

From the Italian word nepotismo, dating back to 1655–65. See nephew, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM nepotism

ne·pot·ic

[nuh-pot-ik] /nəˈpɒt ɪk/, nep·o·tis·tic, nep·o·tis·ti·cal, adjectivenep·o·tist, nounan·ti·nep·o·tism, noun

Words nearby nepotism

nephtali, nepionic, nepit, nepman, nepos, nepotism, neptune, neptunian, neptunium, neptunium series, ner tamid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nepotism

The big twist is that by requesting those documents, Hall did in fact uncover a nepotism problem plaguing UT admissions.
The University of Texas’s Machiavellian War on Its Regent|David Davis|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Corruption and nepotism are rampant in the Afghan Army and “it would collapse without U.S. financial support,” the major says.
Afghan Diplomat: The Security Agreement Will Be Signed|Jacob Siegel, Sami Yousafzai|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a brand new work by Lucy Hogg (yes, my wife – nepotism 'r us), from a series documenting how people use art museums.
Museums Cure ADD|Blake Gopnik|September 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A Haaretz editorial was more explicit, dubbing the election of Yosef and Lau “a victory for nepotism.”
What to Make of the Chief Rabbi Results|Zack Parker|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

This is not the first time Sirleaf has been charged with nepotism.
Liberia: More Political Woes for Nobel Peace Prize-Winner Sirleaf|Clair MacDougall|July 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The word carnale is to be taken only in the sense of nepotism, as it is plainly so used elsewhere by the ambassador.
Lucretia Borgia|Ferdinand Gregorovius
His character stood so high that the reproach of nepotism was never raised by his promotion.
The History of Freedom|John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
After all, I am rather a believer in nepotism, not too exaggerated.
Diplomatic Days|Edith O'Shaughnessy
The nepotism of Sixtus was like water to the strong wine of Alexander's paternal ambition.
Renaissance in Italy, Volume 1 (of 7)|John Addington Symonds
So the charge of nepotism against the chief magistrate was weak.
Alonzo Fitz and Other Stories|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

British Dictionary definitions for nepotism

nepotism

/ (ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm) /

noun

favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence

Derived forms of nepotism

nepotic (nɪˈpɒtɪk) or nepotistic, adjectivenepotist, noun

Word Origin for nepotism

C17: from Italian nepotismo, from nepote nephew, from the former papal practice of granting special favours to nephews or other relatives

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for nepotism

nepotism

[ (nep-uh-tiz-uhm) ]

Favoritism granted to relatives or close friends, without regard to their merit. Nepotism usually takes the form of employing relatives or appointing them to high office.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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