Synonyms of oligarchy

oligarchy

noun

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.

Related Words

• clique
• junta
• network
• syndicate
• coterie
• team
• mob
• clan
• crowd
• Mafia
• club
• cabal
• conspiracy
• circle
• coven
• gang
• set
• galère
• bunch
• crew
• pack
• lot
• ring

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.

Related Words

• empire
• dictatorship
• monarchy
• triumvirate
• sovereign
• republic
• theocracy
• nation-state
• monocracy
• kingdom
• city-state
• dyarchy
• domain
• dominion
• principality
• duumvirate
• triarchy
• dependency
• duchy
• realm
• ministate
• colony
• settlement
• sultanate
• microstate
• province
• mandate
• dukedom
• emirate
• soil
• superpower
• fatherland
• trust territory
• homeland
• condominium
• client state
• seigniory
• sea power
• great power
• world power
• motherland
• state
• commonwealth
• nation
• power
• welfare state
• country
• sovereignty
• land

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oligarchy

The data center industry is only one face of an arrogant oligarchy that people believe now runs Congress, the courts, the White House, state legislatures and local governments. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

In practice, Mamdani, who claims to loathe oligarchy and big business, is asking Amazon to destroy over 40 small businesses and subsume their economic power. — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Of course, as scholars like Winters wrote, this kind of oligarchy-hiding-in-plain-sight was part of the package of modern oligarchy—a kind of conscious cloaking that helped these figures rise in the first place, without any kind of public pushback. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

The Provisional Government has not assumed a republican or other constitutional form, but has remained a mere executive council or oligarchy, set up without the assent of the people. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026