1
as in cliques
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.
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2
as in empires
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchies
Noun
-
The dark comedy about teen suicide and social cliques was adapted into a musical by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and had an off-Broadway run in 2014.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026 -
During Tuesday’s board meeting, Sheriff Robert Luna insisted that a series of measures have been or were being implemented to prevent deputies’ participation in internal cliques or gangs.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Over the centuries, it would be conquered by empires of varying beliefs.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The three Islamic empires engaged in a series of wars and battles in which gunpowder weaponry, particularly artillery and handheld firearms, played a key role.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Look no further than airstrikes in Nigeria, travel bans on 29 countries, and chummy alliances with military juntas.—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 18,
Futurism,
18 Mar. 2026
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In at least three Sahel states — Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — military juntas that came to power in coups, notably Niger and Mali, have expelled Western military forces.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The primary strategic target of the declaration was the Bourbon monarchies of France and Spain, Britain’s chief rivals.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2026
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There are still a significant number of countries and smaller political units that retain monarchies, however.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Oligarchies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchies. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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