oligarch

noun

ol·​i·​garch ˈä-lə-ˌgärk  ˈō- 

plural oligarchs

1

: a member or supporter of an oligarchy

2

in Russia and other countries that succeeded the Soviet Union : one of a class of individuals who through private acquisition of state assets amassed great wealth that is stored especially in foreign accounts and properties and who typically maintain close links to the highest government circles

But what does it really mean to be a Russian oligarch …? … in Russian politics, the term first came about in the 1990s to describe a dozen or so powerful men who amassed immense wealth following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

—The Business Insider

The task force will pool the resources of the countries' law enforcement divisions to track down the assets of Russian oligarchs stashed overseas, a difficult task complicated by the opaque or complicated financial instruments frequently used by Russian financial elites to hide their holdings from public view.

—Jeff Stein

… young Armenians, who joined the protests in droves, angry that the same small club of politicians and oligarchs has controlled the country since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

—Neil Macfarquhar

Examples of oligarch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the secrets of Putin’s longevity in the Byzantine world of Russian politics is his alliance with a handful of wealthy men known as oligarchs. —Daniel Markind, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Brandon Darby, the editor of Breitbart Texas, is one of several conservatives who has compared Dunn and Wilks to Russian oligarchs. —Ava Kofman, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2024

Luke Thallon, an accomplished young actor, who portrayed Roman Abramovich the Russian oligarch and former owner of Premier League team Chelsea, in Peter Morgan’s play Patriots on Broadway and in London — directed by Goold — will play the troubled Danish prince. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024

Those reports cited the use of the trusts by Russian oligarchs, world leaders, billionaires, and celebrities. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek oligárchēs, from olig- olig- + -archēs -arch entry 1, after Greek oligarcheîsthai "to be ruled by an oligarchy," oligarchía oligarchy

First Known Use

circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1