1. close friends or companions, especially those who share similar interests or activities
Usage: plural of crony
2. associates who use their friendship for mutual advantage, especially in business or politics
Usage: often implies favoritism or corruption

Examples

• He spent the evening playing cards with his old cronies from college.
• The mayor was accused of giving city contracts to his political cronies.
• She met up with her cronies at the local coffee shop every Tuesday.
• The business deal seemed suspicious since all the investors were cronies of the CEO.
• My grandfather and his cronies would gather at the park to play chess.
• The scandal involved several cronies who had profited from insider information.