favoritism

[fey-ver-i-tiz-uhm, feyv-ri-]

noun

1. the favoring of one person or group over others with equal claims; partiality.

   to show favoritism toward the youngest child.

2. the state of being a favorite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of favoritism¹

First recorded in 1755–65; favorite + -ism

Example Sentences

In June, victims' relatives filed more than 50 civil lawsuits against the Espaillats, while pressure mounted on the authorities amid allegations of favoritism for the owners, whose family also owns a media conglomerate.

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The program—intended to reduce favoritism and promote merit-based advancement—worked so well that the military made them mandatory with the creation of its Personnel Research Section.

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If Binance does return to the U.S. market, it may point to increased political favoritism, Hays added.

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Noem’s actions in Naples suggest the injection of political favoritism into an agency tasked with saving lives and rebuilding communities wiped out by disaster.

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It’s revealed that his cynical nature stemmed from his days as an idealistic young pediatric surgeon whose patient was lost when an organ transplant intended for the child instead was given to another through favoritism.

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Related Words

• discrimination 
• inequity 
• nepotism 
• partisanship 
• unfairness www.thesaurus.com