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favouritism

British  
/ ˈfeɪvrɪ-, ˈfeɪvərɪˌtɪzəm /

noun

  1. the practice of giving special treatment to a person or group

  2. the state of being treated as a favourite

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

"But the oversupply and favouritism of coal power is an important factor," added Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and contributor to the report.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

While figures from May suggest China's coal generation may have dropped again, "the problem of excess coal capacity and entrenched favouritism of coal in the grid remain", he told AFP.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

It added that there were "strong suspicions" of favouritism related to the tender for a nine-month training course for junior diplomats.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Piastri has rejected any suggestions that the team was not being fair, saying he's "very happy that there's no favouritism or bias".

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Of course, officially, guardians weren’t supposed to show favouritism, but there were little displays of affection all the time within certain parameters; and most of what Ruth suggested fell easily within them.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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