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
What is an oligarchy and is the U.S. heading in that direction?
—
Samantha Putterman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Samantha Putterman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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The big story For years now, India's auto market has been a cozy little clique of Japanese, Korean and Indian companies, with the top six carmakers holding more than 90% of the market, catering to local consumers' mostly utilitarian preferences.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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At the Dallas Street property, small cliques of armed men, mostly Venezuelans and Mexicans, fought an ongoing turf war.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In Season 2, Kimmie, a former stripper who became entangled in the wealthy Bellaire family, now serves as COO of their cosmetics empire.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Drawing on his extensive study of history, which spans 500 years and covers the rise and fall of empires, Dalio sees a historical precedent for such transformative shifts.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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In 1979, when Chile was under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, 19-year-old Soto gave birth to the twin girls in the coastal town of Hualpén in Biobío province.—
Rafael Romo,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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The police and the prosecutor’s office, faithful tools of the dictatorship, captured 13 businessmen in just a few hours, including two who had come to negotiate at Casa Presidencial.—
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez,
The Dial,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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