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
More than 100 protesters — some local, many from elsewhere on Long Island — rallied for two hours against ice, oligarchy, and U.S. support for Israel.
—
Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 23 June 2025
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
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
Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 23 June 2025
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
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
-
The Constitutional Court’s ruling on Friday represents another wave on the turbulent rapids of Thai politics, in which those pushing for change have frequently run foul of the establishment – a small but powerful clique of military, royalist and business elites.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
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And there's hierarchy and cliques and clubs and all these different things.—
H. Alan Scott
Jennifer Cunningham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The first part of the movie is devoted to taking us inside his local empire of warped belief, which skews right-wing.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, Bad Boy Records, which is just one part of Combs' business empire, has sold more than half a billion records.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Anti-Western sentiment has taken hold under the nearly three-year old junta of Burkinabe leader Ibrahim Traoré.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Russia and China are two of Myanmar’s biggest backers, and Thailand and India have pushed for more engagement with the junta to end the crisis on their borders.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Brazil's democracy emerged from a brutal military dictatorship just 40 years ago.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
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Brazil’s violent past has yet to be fully reckoned with, but this trial marks a historic departure from impunity, said Lucas Figueiredo, the author of several books about the country’s most recent dictatorship.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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