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.
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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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Recent Examples of oligarchy
The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnos (Scribner: $30) A collection of essays exploring American oligarchy and the culture of excess.
…
Paperback fiction
1.
—
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Something long and meandering like this: For the next four years, the United States will be an unpredictable, unsteady global superpower run by a fascist oligarchy, in which the people’s representatives cater to a madman’s whim.
—Eli Grober, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
The film is a dead-on skewering of the high-on-their-own supply megalomania that now afflicts so many members of the techno oligarchy, who unfortunately also control the levers of the world.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 May 2025
There is no ethical consumption under tech oligarchy, etc.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Something long and meandering like this: For the next four years, the United States will be an unpredictable, unsteady global superpower run by a fascist oligarchy, in which the people’s representatives cater to a madman’s whim.
—Eli Grober, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
The film is a dead-on skewering of the high-on-their-own supply megalomania that now afflicts so many members of the techno oligarchy, who unfortunately also control the levers of the world.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 May 2025
There is no ethical consumption under tech oligarchy, etc.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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Enid introduced Wednesday to the social scene at Nevermore — the four main cliques being Furs, Fangs, Stoners and Scales.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Aug. 2025
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As Sophie gets pulled deeper into the clique, things get more and more dangerous.—
Karin Slaughter,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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From building a beauty empire to navigating purpose through pain, Monique shares the lessons, leaps of faith, and leadership tools that have shaped her journey.—
Essence,
Essence,
13 Aug. 2025
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Without a studio deal or traditional packaging, the young trio’s goal has been to build an independent empire from the backstreets of London to the heart of Hollywood.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Above all for the junta leader, domestic legitimacy is key in order to maintain his regime.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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China has delivered additional warplanes and drones to the junta to abet this effort.—
Ye Myo Hein,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Instead, the Islamic Republic survives as a massively unpopular dictatorship, economically ruined, internationally isolated, and battered by both the U.S. and Israel.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
5 Aug. 2025
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This, in turn spawned totalitarian dictatorships and led to World War II.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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