Synonyms of favoritism

favoritism

noun

as in bias

the unfair practice of treating some people better than others

The favoritism of the boss led to many disgruntled employees.

He accused the teacher of showing favoritism in assigning grades.

Related Words

• bias
• prejudice
• nepotism
• cronyism
• chauvinism
• partiality
• tendency
• partisanship
• tendentiousness
• favor
• one-sidedness
• ply
• nonobjectivity
• predisposition
• predilection
• parti pris
• proclivity
• penchant
• propensity
• inclination
• self-opinionatedness
• prejudgment
• bent
• leaning
• self-partiality
• preconception
• prepossession

Dissimilar Words

• fairness
• neutrality
• objectivity
• impartiality
• indifference
• unbiasedness
• detachment
• open-mindedness
• calm
• dispassion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of favoritism

Trump officials say any such favoritism violates Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law that forbids discrimination in education and was created to fight segregation and its impact. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

The Athletic’s internal review maintained Russini did not show favoritism to Vrabel, but even the appearance of an improper relationship was enough to constitute a violation of the publication’s reporting policy. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Most obvious, Black candidates for elite jobs, grants, and prizes, who had previously faced many barriers, were benefiting, in various institutions and workplaces, from a new kind of favoritism. — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

As tennis has grown and the four Grand Slams — and their respective national tennis federations — have grown more powerful with it, that favoritism has evolved into something far less wild and far more predictable. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026