Definition of NEPOTISM

nepotism

Plural: nepotisms

Noun

  • Favoritism shown to relatives in business or politics.
  • favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (as by giving them jobs)
  • The favoring of relatives (most strictly) or also personal friends (more broadly) because of their relationship rather than because of their abilities.

Examples

  • Nepotism can get you very far in the world if you've got the right connections.
  • Some players accuse the dictionary of nepotism, favoring obscure words over common ones.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from Latin nepōs (“nephew”), a reference to the practice of popes appointing relatives (most often nephews) as cardinals during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Antonyms

meritocracy

Scrabble Score: 12

nepotism: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
nepotism: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
nepotism: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

nepotism: valid Words With Friends Word