crony
noun
cro·ny ˈkrō-nē 
plural cronies
: a close friend especially of long standing : pal
played golf with his cronies
Synonyms
- associate
- cohort
- companion
- compatriot
- compeer
- comrade
- fellow
- hobnobber
- mate
- running mate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The mayor rewarded his cronies with high-paying jobs after he was elected. the criminal's cronies were also closely questioned about the illegal gambling operation
Recent Examples on the Web Supporters of the bill say the subsidies are needed to help manufacturers keep pace with Asian and European rivals, while detractors argue the federal support amounts to crony capitalism. 
Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 20 July 2022 When Parker crony Gabe Tucker threw a magazine piece on the Colonel’s desk that insinuated that Elvis was gay, Parker didn’t say a word until his friend stopped sputtering. Chris Willman, Variety, 25 June 2022 Holbein was Henry VIII’s court painter, the best portraitist working in Tudor England, and a crony of Erasmus of Rotterdam and Thomas More to boot. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 24 Mar. 2022 The Rajapaksas expanded funding for the military even in peacetime and engaged in a form of crony capitalism that likely enriched the family’s fortunes. Washington Post, 10 May 2022 Government investigators say the Marcoses and crony associates stole between $5 billion and $10 billion from state coffers. Feliz Solomon, WSJ, 9 May 2022 Which makes the audience another crony, with beer available at the theater bar. New York Times, 21 Apr. 2022 As Russia ramps up its crackdown on dissenting voices, billionaire oligarch and longtime Putin crony Yuri Kovalchuk is on the frontlines of the disinformation war, managing the party line. John Hyatt, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2022 But the heart of the series is Martha Mitchell, the glamorous wife of onetime Attorney General and longtime Nixon crony John Mitchell (played by Sean Penn, under a heap of prosthetic makeup). Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2022 See More
Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 20 July 2022 When Parker crony Gabe Tucker threw a magazine piece on the Colonel’s desk that insinuated that Elvis was gay, Parker didn’t say a word until his friend stopped sputtering. Chris Willman, Variety, 25 June 2022 Holbein was Henry VIII’s court painter, the best portraitist working in Tudor England, and a crony of Erasmus of Rotterdam and Thomas More to boot. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 24 Mar. 2022 The Rajapaksas expanded funding for the military even in peacetime and engaged in a form of crony capitalism that likely enriched the family’s fortunes. Washington Post, 10 May 2022 Government investigators say the Marcoses and crony associates stole between $5 billion and $10 billion from state coffers. Feliz Solomon, WSJ, 9 May 2022 Which makes the audience another crony, with beer available at the theater bar. New York Times, 21 Apr. 2022 As Russia ramps up its crackdown on dissenting voices, billionaire oligarch and longtime Putin crony Yuri Kovalchuk is on the frontlines of the disinformation war, managing the party line. John Hyatt, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2022 But the heart of the series is Martha Mitchell, the glamorous wife of onetime Attorney General and longtime Nixon crony John Mitchell (played by Sean Penn, under a heap of prosthetic makeup). Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
perhaps from Greek chronios long-lasting, from chronos time
First Known Use
1656, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing crony
Kids Definition
crony
noun
cro·ny ˈkrō-nē
plural cronies
: a close friend especially of someone powerful (as a politician)
crony
noun
1
as in associate
a person frequently seen in the company of another the criminal's cronies were also closely questioned about the illegal gambling operation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- associate
- buddy
- colleague
- friend
- accomplice
- comrade
- peer
- fellow
- compatriot
- cohort
- classmate
- companion
- partner
- compeer
- pal
- teammate
- collaborator
- running mate
- chum
- mate
- hobnobber
- confidant
- coworker
- confederate
- ally
- affiliate
- workmate
- equal
- hearty
- schoolmate
- intimate
- playmate
- parasite
- familiar
- shipmate
- countryman
- leech
- half
- roommate
- housemate
- escort
- hanger-on
- messmate
- playfellow
- attendant
- roomie
2
as in buddy
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another only my cronies can call me by my nickname Synonyms & Similar Words
- buddy
- friend
- pal
- confidant
- chum
- confidante
- compadre
- comrade
- colleague
- amigo
- sister
- partner
- intimate
- acquaintance
- familiar
- brother
- musketeer
- alter ego
- associate
- benefactor
- mate
- accomplice
- fellow
- peer
- collaborator
- hearty
- companion
- confederate
- supporter
- sympathizer
- cohort
- ally
- friendly
- abettor
- hobnobber
- pen pal
- sport
- abetter
- blood brother
- main man
- well-wisher
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enemy
- foe
- competitor
- rival
- adversary
- opponent
- antagonist
- nemesis
- archenemy