What does "oligarchy" mean?
A government run by and for only a few, often the aristocracy, the wealthy, or their friends and associates.
Oligarchy
/ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑɹki/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A government run by and for only a few, often the aristocracy, the wealthy, or their friends and associates.
- Grammar: oligarchy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aristocracy, autarchy, autonomy, colonialism.
- Useful contrasts: athenian democracy, democracies, democracy.
- Usage evidence: Put plainly, we are steering a steady course toward economic oligarchy, if we are not there already.
How to use "oligarchy"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "oligarchy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "oligarchy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "oligarchy" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aristocracy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A government run by and for only a few, often the aristocracy, the wealthy, or their friends and associates. countable, uncountable
"Despite the involvement of all classes of society, America's political duopoly and the importance of money to mass-market campaigning has established an oligarchy that is seldom responsive to the citizenry as a whole, when opposed to the wealthy or major interest groups."
- 2 a political system governed by a few people wordnet
- 3 A state ruled by such a government. countable, uncountable
"The 1832 Reform Act aimed to transform the British oligarchy and allow Parliament to represent the interests of a broader range of the population."
- 4 Those who make up an oligarchic government. countable, uncountable
"The modern British oligarchy—particularly during periods of Tory rule—has been called a chumocracy."
Antonyms
Example
"Put plainly, we are steering a steady course toward economic oligarchy, if we are not there already."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "oligarchy"?
Common synonyms include: aristocracy, autarchy, autonomy, colonialism, commonwealth, democracy.
How do you use "oligarchy" in a sentence?
Put plainly, we are steering a steady course toward economic oligarchy, if we are not there already.
How do you pronounce "oligarchy"?
Pronounced /ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑɹki/.
Etymology
Borrowed from French oligarchie, from Late Latin oligarchia, from Ancient Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía), from ὀλίγος (olígos, “few”) + ἀρχή (arkhḗ, “rule”). By surface analysis, oligo- (“few”) + -archy (“rule, command”).