cronies

noun

plural of crony
1
as in associates
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

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2
as in friends
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another only my cronies can call me by my nickname

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cronies The season finale feels like an afterthought, as Elias and his Bellflower cronies arrive in Crystal Lake for a final showdown against Pam, Levon, and Brianna. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 The mayor and his cronies opposed a public vote so residents can decide on the project. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Artificial features a large, sprawling cast, including Cooper Hoffman as one of Altman’s original OpenAI cronies, and an underused Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, the Tesla product manager who became one of OpenAI’s key players. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Trump, his family and his wealthy cronies are criminals spending taxpayers’ money and taking it with their underhanded deals with our enemies. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 International aid was siphoned off, with little oversight, by government officials and their cronies. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2026 Currently residing in the Further, Elise explains that Cyrus and his cronies plan to unleash their evil in the land of the living. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Trump and his people had information about a threat clear enough that the president, the defense secretary, and a few cronies were diverted from the aircraft. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026 Just as Sky was going up for a moonsault, Morgan’s Judgment Day cronies got involved. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cronies
  1. associates
  2. friends
  3. colleagues
  4. buddies
  5. cohorts
  6. accomplices
  7. peers
Noun
  • But if firms lean on AI to cut lower-level work, the risk is destroying the very avenue of apprenticeship that produces future senior associates and managers.
    — Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • More recently, a ProPublica investigation revealed that the FBI had scrutinized dealings between Collins, her associates, and a major donor who ran a defense-contracting firm.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of associates
Noun
  • Lubelo has also persuaded several friends to join the school, becoming something of an ambassador in a community where magic is often frowned upon and associated with witchcraft.
    — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The series interviews two of Perry’s closest friends — industry pal Kevin Pollak, and his sister Mia Perry Bowick, who eventually became a therapist well-versed in addiction in large part because of her big brother’s struggle.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of friends
Noun
  • In practice, that means juniors sitting in on meetings to watch colleagues interrogate the numbers, being present when real decisions get made, and gaining experience in different departments.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The letter also urges scrutiny of her staff, donors, and colleagues.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of colleagues
Noun
  • They are being rounded up and sent for slaughter by the government that wants the land for its rich buddies and industry.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • And so the best buddies, who’ve been flirting since Season 1, are finally single at the same time.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of buddies
Noun
  • Since then, two cohorts of men have graduated through the program.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Those cohorts cover the years of adolescence and young adulthood up to age 29, including the 18- to 24-year-old demographic most coveted by many advertisers.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of cohorts
Noun
  • Murdaugh’s lawyers also demanded any evidence prosecutors have of possible accomplices or a grand jury investigation into them.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Kids made good accomplices, tasked with sneaking off on a hunt for the bill.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of accomplices
Noun
  • Now, both girls say there is less conflict among their peers, and their learning has noticeably improved.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That would give SpaceX a cost advantage over peers, which could drive value to its shares, according to Deutsche Bank.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of peers

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Cite this Entry

“Cronies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cronies. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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