nepotism
noun
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Nepotism Has Papal Origins
We happen to have neither Merriams nor Websters on our staff at Merriam-Webster, and familial connections to the company’s founders do not provide an advantage to job applicants. If it were otherwise, we might be accused of nepotism—that is, favoritism based on kinship, especially in professional contexts. English speakers have kept nepotism in the family since the late 1600s, having adopted it from the French, who were inspired by Gregorio Leti's 1667 book Il nipotismo di Roma (English title: The History of the Popes' Nephews). The book explores a practice introduced by Pope Sixtus IV: during his papacy in the late 15th century he granted many special favors to members of his family, in particular to his nephews. This practice of papal favoritism was carried on by his near successors. Today, nepotism is mostly associated with business and politics. In recent informal English use, the shortened form nepo has been hitched to the denigrating term baby to refer especially to celebrities who had a parent (or two) who were also in the entertainment industry.
Examples of nepotism in a Sentence
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
The public’s feelings about these industry babies can be linked to a larger pushback against nepotism in general and the rise of the ultra-rich during a time of stark wealth inequality.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 6 May 2024
Though the superintendent has been accused of nepotism, Rocha also pointed out that AUSD is one of the few districts that uses a personnel commission whose business office does all the hiring, with candidates ranked by numbers, not names.
—Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024
The City Council on Tuesday began weighing a nepotism ordinance that would prevent councilmembers and staff with hiring power from appointing their family and business associates to boards, commissions, committees and task forces.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
But there may soon be a new form of nepotism living right next door.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Murphy had received endorsements from Democratic leaders whose livelihoods were tied to her husband, sparking claims of nepotism.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
The latest posts, about Uganda's National Assembly, purport to reveal details about abuse of public resources, nepotism in staff recruitment and even collusion between civil servants and lawmakers on oversight committees.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024
The latest posts, about Uganda’s National Assembly, purport to reveal details about abuse of public resources, nepotism in staff recruitment, and even collusion between civil servants and lawmakers on oversight committees.
—Rodney Muhumuza, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nepotism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Nepotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nepotism. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
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nepotism
noun
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