1
as in clique
a small group of people who exercise control over a country, business, etc.
Critics complain that the government is now dominated by an oligarchy of wealthy businesspeople.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in empire
government that is controlled by a small group of people
The nation was an oligarchy with election results manipulated to maintain a permanent ruling class.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oligarchy
These are to monopolies as oligarchies — rule by a few — are to monarchies.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
This is not a case of regulated privatization or transparent outsourcing but of big oligarchy.
—BÁlint Madlovics, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump is leading a move to replace democracy with oligarchy.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025
The challenge to resisting a new American oligarchy is not to convince the public that there is a problem, but to offer compelling solutions.
—Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
This is not a case of regulated privatization or transparent outsourcing but of big oligarchy.
—BÁlint Madlovics, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump is leading a move to replace democracy with oligarchy.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025
The challenge to resisting a new American oligarchy is not to convince the public that there is a problem, but to offer compelling solutions.
—Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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Tony Award winner Paloma Young masterminded the musical’s costumes, which are inspired by styles worn by the different teen cliques of ‘90s America, from Grunge and Skater to Preppy, and of course Cher’s iconic yellow and black plaid skirt suit plays a starring role.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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And their late father managed a local Orlando rap clique.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While notable alum Sean McManus (’77) is no longer at the helm of the CBS Sports empire, Michigan grad David Berson wouldn’t say no to a Blue Devils-Wolverines final.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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The king defending his crown, eager to retire but forced to hold on for the good of the empire, or the hothead ready to take to the mattresses in the name of all the marbles.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In 2015, the government was run by a junta, and the person defending the deportation of Uyghurs was a military man who had seized power in a coup in May 2014.—
Jeffrey Wasserstrom,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2025
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Working through proxies like the Africa Corps (the new name of the infamous Wagner paramilitary group), Russia has played a critical role in bolstering assorted military juntas and authoritarian regimes.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The digital age thrives on collaboration, not dictatorship.—
Nono Bokete,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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The film makes more than a token effort to explore the material and psychological realities of life under fascist rule, and the transformation of a charming agrarian utopia into an austere military dictatorship.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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