If you accuse someone in authority of cronyism, you mean that they use their power or authority to get jobs for their friends.
[journalism, disapproval]
cronyism in British English
(ˈkrəʊnɪˌɪzəm)
noun
the practice of appointing friends to high-level, esp political, posts regardless of their suitability
cronyism in American English
(ˈkroʊniˌɪzəm)
US
noun
favoritism shown to close friends, esp. in political appointments to office
Examples of 'cronyism' in a sentence
cronyism
These include claims of corruption and cronyism.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No matter what the issue, the entanglements of political cronyism were a frustration.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The Games have also been tainted with charges of cronyism and corruption.
The Sun (2014)
Others at the bar take a dim view of Greek cronyism and corruption.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The young have become powerful leaders against the corruption, nepotism and cronyism in their countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What is certain is that these golden parachutes were monuments to greed, cronyism and the absence of accountability.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The documents they contain come from a committee he set up to hunt down waste, greed and cronyism.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It's wedded to political cronyism.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
More competition between companies, more individual liability and less political cronyism may be better routes to keeping bankers and businesses honest.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But his appointment, if confirmed, risks triggering a cronyism row.
The Sun (2007)
It has embraced the present system - possibly all too well, if whispers of corruption and cronyism have any basis.