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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of oligarchy
Read: The unique danger of a Trumpist oligarchy A Harris administration would, of course, approach Musk differently.
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Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
What seems far more likely is that a second Trump Presidency would lead to unprecedented theft from public programs like Social Security and Medicare, the full ascendancy of tech and Wall Street oligarchies, and a further dissolution of the public’s faith in the government.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
My children have spent their developing years watching Trump’s oligarchy fortify itself through a global pandemic.
—Michelle Benegas, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2024
Those actions led to the rise of a new Russian oligarchy.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oligarchy 
Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
What seems far more likely is that a second Trump Presidency would lead to unprecedented theft from public programs like Social Security and Medicare, the full ascendancy of tech and Wall Street oligarchies, and a further dissolution of the public’s faith in the government.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
My children have spent their developing years watching Trump’s oligarchy fortify itself through a global pandemic.
—Michelle Benegas, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2024
Those actions led to the rise of a new Russian oligarchy.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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More than just seeking to destroy the damaging cliques at his new school, Slater’s character has plans for something a little more permanent in this comedy that really shaped the teen genre for years to come.Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
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Which of these North Shore cliques does Janis Ian not point out?Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Her empire is built on talent and beauty and backbone.Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025
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But on this southern front of the Trump empire, Palm Beach County, Donald Trump is flirting with ignoble defeat.Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Image In Africa’s coup belt, a string of countries whose governments have been toppled in recent years, the ruling military juntas have leaned in to this criticism to rally public opinion.Ruth Maclean, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
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But the junta’s crimes can hardly be relegated to the past.Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Since the peaceful revolution against the Assad dictatorship in 2012, the United States found ways to advance change.Brandon Hoffman, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025
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For his part, Rubio kept a serious stance while making his case for the new role and speaking out against dictatorship regimes, but also, kept several exchanges with senators lighter at times.Claudia Grisales, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near oligarchy
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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