nepotistic
Hiring your relatives
Nepotistic describes favoritism shown to relatives, especially in hiring or advancement.
A nepotistic boss gives jobs to family members over better-qualified candidates.
The word carries negative connotations—suggesting that merit has been bypassed for blood ties: The company's nepotistic hiring practices drove away talented employees.
Preferential treatment of some
- preferentialGiven special advantage
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
unmerited · undeserved · insider · connections · advancement · appointments · promotion · beneficiary
State of being related
- relativesThose connected by blood
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
clan · ancestry · descendants · inheritance · progeny · siblings · scion · consanguinity
Unlawful act by officeholder
- graftIllicit political gain
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kleptocracyState-sponsored looting system
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
exploitation · venality · dishonesty · misconduct · unethical · embezzlement · misappropriation · kickbacks
Close, often questionable associates
- cliquesExclusive social groups
- palsInformal term for companions
- alliancesFormal unions for cooperation
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
fraternization · loyalty · insiders · blat · protégé · entourage · appointees · allies
favoritism
Preferential treatment of some
- preferentialGiven special advantage
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
privilege · unmerited · undeserved · insider · connections · advancement · appointments · promotion · beneficiary · legacy
kinship
State of being related
bloodline · clan · ancestry · descendants · inheritance · progeny · siblings · scion · consanguinity · kin
malfeasance
Unlawful act by officeholder
- graftIllicit political gain
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kleptocracyState-sponsored looting system
collusion · exploitation · venality · dishonesty · misconduct · unethical · embezzlement · misappropriation · kickbacks · fraudulence
cronies
Close, often questionable associates
- cliquesExclusive social groups
- palsInformal term for companions
- alliancesFormal unions for cooperation
camaraderie · fraternization · loyalty · insiders · blat · protégé · entourage · appointees · allies · confidants
nepotisticmeritocratic
Favoring ability over privilege
merit-based · performance-based · skill-based · earned · achievement-oriented