noun · neutral
nepotism
UK/ˈnɛpətɪz(ə)m/US/ˈnɛp·ə·tɪz·əm/NE·po·tism
the practice of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs
Examples
“The company's promotion was criticised as blatant nepotism.”
“Nepotism undermines trust in public institutions.”
“Hiring her brother showed clear nepotism at work.”
Band 8 sentence
“Public appointments must be based on merit rather than nepotism if trust in institutions is to be restored.”
Collocations
- accused of nepotism
- practise nepotism
- blatant nepotism
Word family
Common mistakes
They nepotism their friends into good positions.→They favoured their friends / They practised nepotism.
He is nepotism in the office.→He is an example of nepotism / There is nepotism in the office.
Say it for a higher band
5favoritism→6cronyism→7+nepotism
Synonyms
cronyism
favoritism
Easily confused
cronyism
“The mayor's appointments were criticised as cronyism.”
Related words
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In -ism
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