oligarchy
noun
ˈō-
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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
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 
Dictionary Entries Near oligarchy
Cite this Entry
“Oligarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oligarchy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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