noun
crony
KROH-nee/ˈkrəʊni/
A close associate, especially one given unfair favors.
The manager favors his crony by ushering him past the waiting applicant.
Etymology
Probably linked to Greek khronios, “long-lasting,” the word suggests an old friend or contemporary. Its core is personal familiarity, which underlies the sense of a favored insider.
In context
"crony capitalism," political changes that benefit a group of well-connected insiders but don't actually do much good for the rest of us.
More examples
- Grandpa meets his old cronies for coffee every Friday.
- The director awarded another contract to a wealthy crony.
- Critics accuse the governor of filling the board with cronies.
Forms
crony · cronies
cronyism noun — Unfair favoritism toward friends when granting opportunities.