favoritism to friends without regard for their qualifications, especially by appointing them to political positions
favoritism shown to friends and associates (as by appointing them to positions without regard for their qualifications)
{i} preference for relatives or close friends, preferential bias toward friends (especially in politics)
disapproval If you accuse someone in authority of cronyism, you mean that they use their power or authority to get jobs for their friends. the practice of unfairly giving the best jobs to your friends when you are in a position of power - used to show disapproval