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
After the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, and especially when Nasrallah was assassinated in Beirut, many radicals concluded that the IRGC’s oligarchy had been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence.
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Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
Less oligarchy with decks stacked against us, and more true representation among county commissioners.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024
Even choices that seem obvious — like the optimism of a utopia falling prey to an oligarchy fronted by an egomaniacal orange — fail to materialize into anything briefly, well, fruitful.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
Their rise to prominence over the old oligarchy mirrors Modi’s own, as the son of a tea seller, in contrast to his chief political opponent, Rahul Gandhi (no relation to the Mahatma), who is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Indian Prime Ministers.
—Maya Jasanoff, The New Yorker, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for oligarchy 
Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
Less oligarchy with decks stacked against us, and more true representation among county commissioners.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024
Even choices that seem obvious — like the optimism of a utopia falling prey to an oligarchy fronted by an egomaniacal orange — fail to materialize into anything briefly, well, fruitful.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
Their rise to prominence over the old oligarchy mirrors Modi’s own, as the son of a tea seller, in contrast to his chief political opponent, Rahul Gandhi (no relation to the Mahatma), who is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Indian Prime Ministers.
—Maya Jasanoff, The New Yorker, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for oligarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oligarchy
Noun
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Despite opposition by Russia and its clique of confederates, more than 150 UN states backed the ban on ASAT testing.Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
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Kids who aren’t in a clique or who are at the bottom of the clique hierarchy might feel more lonely and sad.Hannah L. Schacter, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Stewart honed the homemaking skills upon which her empire was built at a four-acre former onion farm dubbed Turkey Hill in Westport, Connecticut.Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
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Kirk’s apparatus has gone from a conservative youth-outreach organization to an all-encompassing right-wing empire—one that has cultivated relationships with influential conservative faith groups, built a powerful media arm, and hosted rallies for Trump and other top Republicans.Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Coups without any sign of civilian support were generally those that saw a military leader ousted by other members of the ruling junta – contexts where soldiers already dominated the political landscape.Salah Ben Hammou, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2024
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Indeed, the junta has been steadily losing ground, especially in the north.Koh Ewe, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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His thirty-two-year hard-line dictatorship witnessed political assassinations and the violent suppression of human rights by his army.Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024
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The peace plan tried to secure Arab recognition of Israel’s 1967 conquests, in exchange for more American aid and arms sales to the brutal Egyptian, Saudi and Emirati dictatorships.Caise D. Hassan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near oligarchy
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oligarchy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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