1The government was accused of appointing cronies to key positions, rather than choosing the most qualified candidates.
2The company's CEO was criticized for surrounding himself with yes-men and cronies, rather than seeking out diverse perspectives.
3The politician's decision to award a lucrative contract to a crony was widely seen as an example of corruption.
4The crony capitalism that pervades the industry makes it difficult for new businesses to compete on a level playing field.
5The scandal revealed a web of cronies and corrupt officials who had been embezzling funds for years.