The Meaning of Nepotism: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the meaning of nepotism? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on this new word!

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According to Collins English Dictionary, the word nepotism is a noun that refers to an unfair use of power or connections to get benefits, jobs, or privileges from family members and friends. This type of favoritism is prevalent in many fields such as the entertainment industry. 

The pronunciation of nepotism is ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm, and the word nepotism is four syllables: ne-pot-is-m.

What Are Translations of the Word Nepotism?

Many languages worldwide also have words that mean nepotism. Take a look at this list of translations for nepotism:

  •  Hungarian: nepotizmus‎
  •  Finnish: nepotismi‎
  •  Bulgarian: шуробаджанащина‎
  •  Swedish: nepotism‎ (common), svågerpolitik‎ (common)
  •  Khmer: ញាតិមិត្តនិយម‎ (nheat mit niyom)
  •  Italian: nepotismo‎ (masc.)
  •  Czech: nepotismus‎ (masc.), nepotizmus‎ (masc.)
  •  Polish: nepotyzm‎ (masc.)
  •  French: népotisme‎ (masc.), copinage‎ (masc.)
  •  Mandarin: 偏袒‎ (piāntǎn)
  •  Catalan: nepotisme‎ (masc.)
  •  German: Nepotismus‎ (masc.), Vetternwirtschaft‎ (fem.)
  •  Romanian: nepotism‎ (neut.)
  •  Mandinka: baadinfaasaa‎
  •  Turkish: kayırmak‎
  •  Icelandic: frændhygli‎ (fem.)
  •  Greek: οικογενειοκρατία‎ (fem.), νεποτισμός‎ (masc.)
  •  Hebrew: נפוטיזם‎
  •  Dutch: nepotisme‎ (neut.), vriendjespolitiek‎
  •  Spanish: nepotismo‎ (masc.)
  •  Russian: непоти́зм‎ (masc.), кумовство́‎ (neut.)
  •  Esperanto: nepotismo‎
  •  Portuguese: nepotismo‎ (masc.)
  •  Ido: nepotismo‎

What Is the Etymology of the Word Nepotism?

Per Your Dictionary, the word nepotism has Indo-European roots. This word comes from the French népotisme and Italian nepotismo and nepote, meaning nephew. This word has roots in the Latin nepōs and nepōt, which have papal origins. Pope Sixtus IV granted special treatment to his nephews during his papacy from 1471–1484, and this treatment continued in the practice of papal favoritism. 

Gregorio Leti wrote a book called Il Nepotismo di Roma, or The History of the Popes’ Nephews. Catholic popes continued to show this type of favoritism with the assignment of nephews as cardinals for many years. This formal papal practice is where the word nepotism first was first used in English in the 17th century Middle Ages.

How Can the Word Nepotism Be Used in a Sentence?

We can use the noun nepotism in many casual and formal sentences. Learning how to use a word in a sentence is a great way to make sure that you remember its definition. 

You can study all day long on flashcards and quizzes, but it is only useful to know the definition of the word nepotism if you can use it in your daily life. Take a look at the below examples of using the word nepotism in a sentence. Then, see if you can use this word in a sentence on your own:

Public officials reprimanded the CEO of a company for his nepotism. He decided to hire his underqualified niece and other people from his own family rather than qualified employees.

The company’s morale decreased significantly when it was revealed that the boss put his nephews in charge of hiring. Their nepotism resulted in favoritism that led to a lack of qualification, as all of the higher-level employees were related to the boss.

The grandchild of the executive at the fashion company felt guilty for receiving nepotism in the workplace. The special favors and treatments benefitted him, but he knew he only achieved things based on family relationships.

Nepotism is a problem in various fields, including entertainment, fashion, law, and even family-run businesses. Important positions should not be assigned to personal friends or relatives; this privilege needs to end.

It was nepotism that got Cal into Princeton University, as his father was an officer of the firm that represented the Ivy League college.

What Are Synonyms of the Word Nepotism?

Learning synonyms of a word is not only a great way to remember its definition but also to expand your vocabulary and learn a bunch of new words at once. 

Synonyms are words that mean the same thing or have a similar definition to another word. If you learn the definition of one word and its synonyms, you can learn potentially hundreds of new words at once. 

This list of synonyms of the word nepotism comes from Power Thesaurus:

  • abuse of power
  •  alliance
  •  amour propre
  •  barrelling
  •  bias
  •  breach of trust
  •  bribery
  •  bribing
  •  chauvinism
  •  clientelism
  •  connection
  •  corruption
  •  corruptions
  •  inequity
  •  jobbery
  •  jobs for the boys
  •  leaning
  •  malfeasance
  •  nepotistic
  •  nonobjectivity
  •  old boy network
  •  on the take
  •  one-sidedness
  •  partiality
  •  partisanship
  •  patronage
  •  power of appointment
  •  preference
  •  preferential treatment
  •  preferentialism
  •  prejudice
  •  proclivity
  •  profiteering
  •  shadiness
  •  unfairness
  •  venality

What Are Antonyms of the Word Nepotism?

It can also be very helpful to learn words that mean the opposite of a new word. This can sometimes clarify the definition of a certain word. Additionally, learning antonyms is another great way to grow your vocabulary and vary the vocabulary you use when writing or speaking. 

See which antonyms for nepotism stand out to you in this list from Power Thesaurus:

  •  detachment
  •  disinterest
  •  disinterestedness
  •  equal status
  •  equity
  •  fair-mindedness
  •  fairness
  •  justice
  •  neutrality
  •  nonpartisanship
  •  objectivity

Conclusion

Overall, the word nepotism means preferential treatment based on the consideration of relationships. This is often used to refer to an undue attachment between a boss hiring family members. 

The word nepotism comes from the Latin word nepos, which was introduced into English due to popes favoring their nephews for positions in the Church.

Sources:

  1. Nepotism synonyms – 180 Words and Phrases for Nepotism | Power Thesaurus 
  2. Nepotism antonyms – 11 Opposites of Nepotism | Power Thesaurus 
  3. Nepotism Meaning | Best 4 Definitions of Nepotism | Your Dictionary 
  4. Nepotism definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary