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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oligarchy
In recent years, aided by his son, Sam (CEO of Dropout), the 79-year-old has developed an impressive social media following, warning of the perils of an unfettered oligarchy and rampant inequality.
—
Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
Trump’s critics often describe his Administration as an oligarchy or a kleptocracy, conjuring parallels with Vladimir Putin.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
The third speaker, Darius, sees democracy and oligarchy as equally flawed.
—Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Less competition, higher consumer prices, limited options, and a shrinking middle class, a trend many economists warn flirts with oligarchy.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
Trump’s critics often describe his Administration as an oligarchy or a kleptocracy, conjuring parallels with Vladimir Putin.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
The third speaker, Darius, sees democracy and oligarchy as equally flawed.
—Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Less competition, higher consumer prices, limited options, and a shrinking middle class, a trend many economists warn flirts with oligarchy.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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The hand-me-downs helped Lisa garner attention from a trendy clique at school.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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The big story For years now, India's auto market has been a cozy little clique of Japanese, Korean and Indian companies, with the top six carmakers holding more than 90% of the market, catering to local consumers' mostly utilitarian preferences.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Add to that a staggering $140 million theft, and the devastating loss of a close friend, as the Duncans’ empire faces unprecedented threats.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
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Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Myanmar’s central bank has reoriented its monetary policy to support the junta’s access to foreign currency reserves.—
Dan Swift,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
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China had been publicly pushing the junta to crack down on cross-border crime targeting Chinese nationals.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If the Supreme Court officially makes the chief executive a unitary executive, the advancement of the public good may depend on little more than the whims of the president, a state of affairs normally more characteristic of dictatorship than democracy.—
Graham G. Dodds,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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The exec emphasized his excitement about being in the country a few months after Salles’ history-making drama about Brazil’s military dictatorship, a film that also scored nominations for best picture and actress for Fernanda Torres.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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