kleptocracy

noun

klep·​toc·​ra·​cy klep-ˈtä-krə-sē How to pronounce kleptocracy (audio)
plural kleptocracies
: government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed
also : a particular government of this kind
kleptocrat noun
kleptocratic adjective

Examples of kleptocracy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yes, many nations such as Uruguay and Chile are strengthening institutions even as ones like Venezuela descend into kleptocracy. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Sep. 2024 One of the Ukrainians was a former K.G.B. agent who had become a Ukrainian intelligence operative, who developed high-level Ukrainian government contacts through his leadership of a foundation dedicated to tracking kleptocracy, according to Mr. Buma’s statement. Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 20 May 2024 Successive Sudanese regimes have constructed a kleptocracy built on violence and repression, and the country is now being relentlessly plundered by foreign actors. John Prendergast, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2024 Russia is becoming a kleptocracy, with Putin cannibalizing the entire productive economy to fund his whims. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 20 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for kleptocracy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kleptocracy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

klepto- + -cracy

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kleptocracy was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near kleptocracy

Cite this Entry

“Kleptocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kleptocracy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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