oligarchy

noun

ol·​i·​gar·​chy ˈä-lə-ˌgär-kē How to pronounce oligarchy (audio) ˈō- How to pronounce oligarchy (audio)
plural oligarchies
1
: government by the few
The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.
2
: a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes
a military oligarchy was established in the country
also : a group exercising such control
An oligarchy ruled the nation.
3
: an organization under oligarchic control
That country is an oligarchy.

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Oligarchy and Other Words for Rulers

Oligarchy is one of numerous English words for a type of rule or government. Some of these words, such as plutocracy, have an exceedingly similar meaning (both may be used to refer to rule by an economic elite, but oligarchy often has the additional connotation of corruption). Besides these two, we have meritocracy “a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement,” monarchy “a form of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen,” ochlocracy “government by the mob," and gerontocracy “rule by elders,” among many others.

Examples of oligarchy in a Sentence

Their nation is an oligarchy. An oligarchy rules their nation. The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.
Recent Examples on the Web Leamer’s book contextualized them in a bygone milieu: a postwar, pre-feminist Wasp oligarchy in which young women’s ambitions were directed exclusively toward an advantageous match. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 Some critics also say the wartime concentration of power around the government may give rise to a new oligarchy, and analysts say that oligarchs still retain significant levers of influence. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2024 What is often missing in basic American history courses is the social and political nature of the antebellum South, that being an oligarchy and police state. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2024 The film stars Kate Winslet as the chancellor of an oligarchy that seems to be in its final moments of power—a development that doesn’t sit well with the chancellor. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 1 Jan. 2024 The sheer fakeness of elite life under this system—a disguised monarchy combined with military rule, in which an aristocratic oligarchy kept up the rituals of republican government—is one of the great themes of Tacitus’ Annals. Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 When the nation’s rising oligarchy met a budding authoritarian, the Republican Party embraced the opportunity to abandon democracy with surprising ease. Heather Cox Richardson, The New Republic, 26 Sep. 2023 Among the most successful movements against oligarchy were the Populists and Progressives, who used the document to treat the disabling economy of the Gilded Age. Corey Robin, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2023 The link between yachts and the Russian oligarchy, specifically in relation to the war in Ukraine, came to a head when, in 2022, Western countries sanctioned Russian billionaires deemed close to the Kremlin and seized their yachts. Rachel Shin, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oligarchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, Late Latin & Greek; Middle French oligarchie, borrowed from Late Latin oligarchia, borrowed from Greek oligarchía, from olig- olig- + -archia -archy

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oligarchy was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near oligarchy

Cite this Entry

“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oligarchy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

oligarchy

noun
oli·​gar·​chy
ˈäl-ə-ˌgär-kē,
ˈō-lə-
plural oligarchies
1
: government by the few
2
: a government in which a small group exercises control
also : a group exercising such control
3
: an organization controlled by a small group
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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