pro-nepotism
|pro-ne-po-ti-sm|
🇺🇸
/proʊˈnɛpətɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/prəʊˈnɛpətɪzəm/
in favor of favoring relatives
Etymology
'pro-nepotism' is formed from the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro' meaning 'for' or 'in favor of') combined with 'nepotism' (from Italian 'nepotismo').
'nepotism' comes from Italian 'nepotismo', ultimately from Latin 'nepos' meaning 'nephew'; the English compound 'pro-nepotism' is a modern formation using the prefix 'pro-' attached to the existing noun 'nepotism' to indicate support for it.
Originally, 'nepotism' referred to favoring nephews or relatives (often in clerical appointments); over time it came to mean favoring relatives generally, and 'pro-nepotism' now means 'in favor of that practice'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a position, policy, or attitude that supports or promotes nepotism.
There was clear pro-nepotism within the hiring committee.
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Antonyms
Adjective 1
favoring or supportive of nepotism; expressing approval of giving jobs, positions, or advantages to relatives or close associates.
The mayor took a pro-nepotism stance, appointing several relatives to city positions.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/08 20:48