favoritism
Americannoun
-
the favoring of one person or group over others with equal claims; partiality.
to show favoritism toward the youngest child.
-
the state of being a favorite.
Etymology
Origin of favoritism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nowhere is the appearance of favoritism more glaring than in the case of Vulcan Elements, a North Carolina-based rare-earth magnet startup.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026
This is down to what economists call “rent seeking” – that is, the attempt by companies or individuals to get extra money or value out of a policy through influence or favoritism.
From Salon • Jan. 21, 2026
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.
From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025
This favoritism would have been difficult to imagine even a few years ago.
From Slate • Aug. 14, 2025
Some of the girls think it’s unfair favoritism, since her mom is a former principal dancer, but I’ve never felt that way.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
