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
Congress has abdicated its power to an oligarchy of billionaires.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
For example, they might be classified by the number of rulers, thus distinguishing government by one (as in a monarchy or a tyranny) from government by the few (in an aristocracy or oligarchy) and from government by the many (as in a democracy).
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Such is the suffering of the lowly expendables, but spoils of war for the oligarchy of greed and power.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
Those being oligarchy and affordability.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
For example, they might be classified by the number of rulers, thus distinguishing government by one (as in a monarchy or a tyranny) from government by the few (in an aristocracy or oligarchy) and from government by the many (as in a democracy).
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Such is the suffering of the lowly expendables, but spoils of war for the oligarchy of greed and power.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
Those being oligarchy and affordability.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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Prosecutors said the killings were tied to Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a transnational gang that maintains a presence in Los Angeles through smaller groups, or cliques, including in the San Fernando Valley and around MacArthur Park.—
Sydney Barragan,
Daily News,
6 June 2026
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Mahjong clique: Those crazy mahjong kids (of all ages) will gather on Thursday for Mahjong & Mingle, a new series at Burlock Coast, the waterfront restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
Noun
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If anything, the incident has become part of brand Beckham mythology; an early indication of David and Victoria’s fashion-forwardness and media savvy that has morphed into today’s multimillion-dollar sport, beauty and business empire.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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This bridge symbolizes an empire striving to protect itself from its ultimate demise.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
Noun
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The second World Cup, in 1934, was held in Benito Mussolini’s Italy and served his blustery model of fascism; 1978’s edition took place in Argentina, in the middle of its military junta and the disappearance of tens of thousands of dissidents.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
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The military ruler, Olusegun Obasanjo, had sent soldiers to high schools across the country to enforce discipline, a measure of how successive juntas ruled the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Leo has been emphasizing a message of hope for youths in Spain, a once overwhelmingly Catholic country that experienced a religious crisis after its 20th century dictatorship ended and democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Portugal is a good example—after the dictatorship ended in 1974, there was a push to modernize, and many traditional crafts weren’t passed down.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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