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
While challenges like an aging population remain, economists view Poland’s rise as a model for building prosperity without oligarchy or corruption.
—
Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Such is the suffering of the lowly expendables, but spoils of war for the oligarchy of greed and power.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
Those being oligarchy and affordability.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
Domestically, Roosevelt’s progressive reforms—breaking up dozens of monopolies, modifying railroad rates, setting aside public lands for conservation—cut against the long run of industrial oligarchy enjoyed by assorted oil, timber, and coal kings in collusion with their congressional retainers.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Such is the suffering of the lowly expendables, but spoils of war for the oligarchy of greed and power.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
Those being oligarchy and affordability.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
Domestically, Roosevelt’s progressive reforms—breaking up dozens of monopolies, modifying railroad rates, setting aside public lands for conservation—cut against the long run of industrial oligarchy enjoyed by assorted oil, timber, and coal kings in collusion with their congressional retainers.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
-
With lawsuits in recent years involving deputy cliques in the department and community members calling for the closure of the deteriorating Men’s Central Jail, the 2026 LA County Sheriff race potentially has deep ramifications for Los Angeles County voters.—
Teagan Davidge,
Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
California has more than enough money in its $4 trillion economy to meet the basic needs of everyone, but our politicians sell out the entire community to the interests of a small clique of extremely wealthy billionaires, real estate developers and CEOs.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Within that diversity, the most conspicuous large-scale formations were always transnational empires.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Sabrina graduated from Harvard, and Tucker has expanded his bar empire.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Mali, a former French colony long gripped by insurgency, is governed by a military junta following consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
The political model encouraged by Russia also worsened the juntas’ situations, especially Mali’s, Riboua explained.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Many Florida Hispanics from Cuba and South America vote Republican after fleeing socialist or communist dictatorships.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
When Brazil’s military dictatorship cuts a major highway through Yanomami land in the mid ‘70s, her images become an act of resistance and a turning point in her life, Maria Farinha Filmes said Thursday.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
