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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Recent Examples of oligarchy
Something long and meandering like this: For the next four years, the United States will be an unpredictable, unsteady global superpower run by a fascist oligarchy, in which the people’s representatives cater to a madman’s whim.
—
Eli Grober, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 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
Sanders has consistently called out the Trump administration, accusing it of being an oligarchy and has drawn big crowds, even in Republican strongholds.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Eli Grober, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 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
Sanders has consistently called out the Trump administration, accusing it of being an oligarchy and has drawn big crowds, even in Republican strongholds.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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The pair were placed next to each other at a meal as part of Farke’s seating plan, where the German manager alternates a British player, then a foreign one, then a Brit and so on, around the tables — no cliques, no comfort zones.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
While at Robinson High School, Hogan found his clique with classmates who shared a passion for wrestling.—
Sue Carswell,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails is his newest venture, joining an empire that also includes the Woodshed Smokehouse, Love Shack (Fort Worth and DFW Airport), Queenie’s Steakhouse in Denton, the White Elephant Saloon, Gemelle, Ático, Paloma Suerte, Caterina’s and Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 July 2025
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This year’s gathering, which drew scores of longtime Elon Musk fans, expanded to encompass SpaceX and the other companies in Musk’s overlapping business empire.—
Dana Hull,
Fortune,
27 July 2025
Noun
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The United States and most Western countries have not recognized the junta as the legitimate government of Myanmar, also known as Burma.—
Heather Law,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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The junta sends a tank crashing through the gates of the Athens Polytechnic, suppressing the student uprising.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Noun
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During the dictatorship, blackouts were used to control people.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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But if Trump’s Iran gamble turns out well and Iran’s theocratic dictatorship either crumbles or gives up its uranium enrichment program through diplomatic negotiations — a big if — Trump will be credited with having done something four previous presidents contemplated but ultimately failed to do.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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