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
For the Legislature and DeSantis to strip away basic heat protections in the face of vehement public opposition — more than 90 organizations pleaded for HB 433 to be vetoed — demonstrates yet again how Florida has become less of a democracy and more of an oligarchy.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
The Russian term for their oligarchy is semibankirshchina—the reign of the seven bankers.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
Those actions led to the rise of a new Russian oligarchy.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
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.
—Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for oligarchy 
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
The Russian term for their oligarchy is semibankirshchina—the reign of the seven bankers.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
Those actions led to the rise of a new Russian oligarchy.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
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.
—Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 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 22 Jan. 2025.
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