cronycro‧ny /ˈkrəʊni $ ˈkroʊni/ noun (plural cronies) [countable usually plural] 
Word Origin
the senator’s political cronies► see thesaurus at friend
Word OriginWORD ORIGINcrony
ExamplesOrigin:
1600-1700 Probably from Greek chronios ‘long-lasting’, from chronos ‘time’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- The senator gave positions of power to many of his political cronies.
- An engineer, usually Atkinson or one of his cronies, would propose an unusual innovatIon.
- Bella had stayed there a bit, though, along with her ghastly cronies.
- Big Joe would see to that, or one of his cronies.
- Despite my closeness over a long period to Harold Wilson, I was certainly not close to his publicised cronies.
- Even so, he had learned a lot, keeping what he knew from Spatz and his cronies.
- Her allies in the government included those presidential cronies the Alsops despised.
THESAURUS► friend
one of a group of people who spend a lot of time with each other – used to show disapprovalsomebody’s cronies someone who you know and like very much and enjoy spending time with: · Dad, this is my friend Steve.· She’s going to Palm Springs with some friends.· I got a letter from a friend from college.· Amy’s a close friend of mine.· John was a really good friend to me when I had all those problems last year.
► acquaintance someone who you know and see sometimes, but who is not one of your close friends: · We borrowed the money from one of Paul’s business acquaintances.
► mate British English informal a friend – used especially about boys or men: · He always goes to the pub with his mates on Friday night.· Terry’s an old mate of mine.
► buddy American English informal a friend – used especially about men or young people: · He’s out playing basketball with some of his high school buddies.
► pal informal a friend – pal sounds rather old-fashioned: · They met at school and have remained close pals.
► crony [usually plural] disapproving a friend – used about powerful people who will help each other even if it is slightly dishonest: · He’s one of the president’s cronies.
► companion written someone who spends time with you, doing the same things as you – used about animals as well as people: · travelling companions· His dog was his constant companion.· the perfect companion
► the girls informal a woman’s female friends: · We’re having a girls’ night out.
► the lads British English informal a man’s male friends: · a night out with the lads
Longman Language Activatora group of friends► circle of friends also circle the people you know, especially a group of friends who all know each other and often meet socially: · He had a large circle of friends.· Since my children have started school, my circle has widened to include the mothers of other kids.
► the boys/the girls spoken a group of male or female friends who often do things together: · Sally's having a night out with the girls from the office.· It's his poker night with the boys.
► the gang informal a small group of friends who often meet socially: · I usually go out with the gang on Saturday nights.one of the gang (=accepted into the group of friends): · She's not really one of the gang, but I invited her to the party.
► crowd informal a group of friends who often do things or go out together: · He wasn't with his usual crowd last night.· It may be necessary to change your child's school if they get in with a bad crowd.
► set : the tennis/golf club/arty etc set a group of friends who meet socially, especially because they are all interested in the same sport or activity, especially an expensive one: · She likes to mingle with the arty set.
► cronies a group of people who know each other, and will help each other, even if this means being slightly dishonest: · Weiss was careful not to upset his political cronies.· Her father is probably in the bar, drinking with his cronies.
the senator’s political cronies► see thesaurus at friend