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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oligarchy
The goal is not to rehabilitate Russia’s weakening oligarchy but to fracture the elite networks that still play a significant role in sustaining Putin’s rule.
—
Veronica Anghel, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2025
Trade one oligarchy for another, and the 1940s Republic of Saló looks mighty familiar.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
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
The third speaker, Darius, sees democracy and oligarchy as equally flawed.
—Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Veronica Anghel, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2025
Trade one oligarchy for another, and the 1940s Republic of Saló looks mighty familiar.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
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
The third speaker, Darius, sees democracy and oligarchy as equally flawed.
—Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
-
The results are similar, with each former employee’s clique now bullying Robert in protest.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The founders leveraged their Instagram followings and those of their clique of friends, which translated into high visibility, buzz and attention from buyers.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If Stacey wants to skip out and build her cannabis empire for her daughter instead, I am simply unbothered.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Paramount has been bidding since October for WBD, a transaction that would elevate David Ellison’s nascent media empire into a Hollywood force that could not be easily ignored by tech competitors and Wall Street.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Now the junta that ousted her seeks to hold sham polls in December to entrench and legitimize their rule.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Despite arriving deep in the midst of Brazil’s oppressive junta dictatorship, that album, 1972’s Clube da Esquina, became one of the most influential and acclaimed records in the country’s musical history.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The forest for the trees Nestled between China, India and Thailand, Myanmar gained independence from Britain in 1948 but came under military dictatorship in 1962.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Both lived under dictatorships.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share