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.
Synonyms & Similar 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.
Synonyms & Similar 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
These are to monopolies as oligarchies — rule by a few — are to monarchies.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
This is not a case of regulated privatization or transparent outsourcing but of big oligarchy.
—BÁlint Madlovics, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump is leading a move to replace democracy with oligarchy.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025
The challenge to resisting a new American oligarchy is not to convince the public that there is a problem, but to offer compelling solutions.
—Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
-
Tony Award winner Paloma Young masterminded the musical’s costumes, which are inspired by styles worn by the different teen cliques of ‘90s America, from Grunge and Skater to Preppy, and of course Cher’s iconic yellow and black plaid skirt suit plays a starring role.—
-
And their late father managed a local Orlando rap clique.—
Noun
-
There is a case to be made that Musk’s cozying up to Trump will ultimately benefit Musk’s empire—avoiding regulations that may help with Tesla’s self-driving plans or SpaceX and Starlink contracts, for example.—
-
The other is Bernard Arnault ($178 billion), the wealthiest in France, whose fashion and cosmetics empire LVMH includes the likes of Louis Vuitton and Sephora.—
Noun
-
Myanmar’s junta government doesn’t often want others to intervene in its affairs.—
-
Since seizing power in a coup in February 2021, Myanmar’s military junta has waged a brutal war against its people.—
Noun
-
The digital age thrives on collaboration, not dictatorship.—
-
The film makes more than a token effort to explore the material and psychological realities of life under fascist rule, and the transformation of a charming agrarian utopia into an austere military dictatorship.—
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share