1. a person who holds a political office or government position primarily through patronage or favoritism rather than merit
Usage: often derogatory; political context

Examples

• The senator was criticized for being nothing more than a placeman for the party leadership.
• Many viewed the ambassador as a placeman who owed his position to campaign contributions.
• The reform movement sought to eliminate placemen from key government positions.
• He was dismissed as just another placeman with no real qualifications for the job.
• The newspaper editorial attacked the prevalence of placemen in the current administration.
• Critics argued that the agency was filled with placemen rather than experienced professionals.