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amiguismo

cronyism

noun ah-mee-GEES-moh Rare

Usage Note

Amiguismo is formed from amigo plus the suffix -ismo, naming the practice of favouring friends over merit in appointments or contracts. It is the standard Spanish term for what English calls 'cronyism' (while nepotismo targets family specifically). The word is common in political and journalistic registers and carries a strongly negative connotation.

Examples

"El amiguismo destruye la meritocracia."

Natural Translation

Cronyism destroys meritocracy.

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