1
as in cliques
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 empires
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 oligarchies
Breaking the hold of tech and financial oligarchies, including a ban on algorithmic wage-setting, ensures that AI does not become a tool for gutting the middle class.
—
Sarita Gupta,
Time,
2 June 2026
The open-source software movement, partly a political project to protect the freedom to tinker and prevent corporate oligarchies from stifling innovation, would become a cornerstone of the technology industry.
—
Jonathan Weber,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Sarita Gupta,
Time,
2 June 2026
The open-source software movement, partly a political project to protect the freedom to tinker and prevent corporate oligarchies from stifling innovation, would become a cornerstone of the technology industry.
—
Jonathan Weber,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchies
Noun
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Ramsey numbers for same-size red and blue cliques are called diagonal Ramsey numbers.
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Under Meza, player cliques developed, stars were pampered, discipline waned.
Noun
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After the United States was founded in 1776, leaders like Thomas Jefferson chose to emulate classical architecture when building its Washington, DC, capital as a nod to the democratic ideals of the Greek and Roman empires.
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Times change and empires crumble, yet the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest endures.
Noun
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They are governed by military juntas that staged coups fueled by resentment toward old Western partners and democratic governments.
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Since seizing power, the juntas have cut ties with France and other Western powers, created their own security alliance and turned to Russia for military support to fight extremist insurgencies.
Noun
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The Belgian and Dutch monarchies seem to share a warm bond as well as a border, and Queen Mathilde and Queen Máxima are known to be friends.
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Even the Gulf monarchies who’ve made their fortunes on oil and gas exports have come around to the idea that this is not a sustainable strategy, yet Trump won’t hear it.
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchies. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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