Oligarchy
noun /ˈɒl.ɪ.ɡɑː.ki/ — Rule or control by a small, powerful group.
Definition
A system of government or organisation in which power is held by a small, often self-serving group. The oligarchs need not be formally in power — they may simply control the systems that govern others.
Beyond the definition
Oligarchies are easier to see from the outside than the inside. Those within them often call it meritocracy — the natural result of excellence. Those outside call it what it is.
Origin & history
Greek: 'oligos' (few) + 'arkhein' (to rule). One of Aristotle's three 'deviant' constitutions — rule by the few for their own benefit rather than the common good.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Critics described the board as an oligarchy — the same five families making every major decision.
Technology has created new oligarchies: vast power concentrated in the hands of very few platform owners.
Every democracy contains oligarchic tendencies. The question is how well they're restrained.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Oligarchy” when the meaning fits your context: A system of government or organisation in which power is held by a small, often self-serving group. The oligarchs need not be formally in power — they may simply control the systems that govern others.
Synonyms
plutocracy, elite rule, autocracy
Antonyms
democracy, republic, egalitarianism
Related words
Oligarchy vs plutocracy
An oligarchy is rule by any small group, whether defined by social status, family, or politics. A plutocracy is a specific type of oligarchy where power is held strictly by the wealthiest members of society.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Dominant Adult With Excluded Colleague
Two adults stand in a room, one standing tall and pointing, the other looking down, excluded from the process.
The dominant figure represents the power structure of an oligarchy, where the individual controls the situation and decision-making while others are sidelined, emphasizing how power is held by the few.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Oligarchy" mean?
Oligarchy is noun meaning: Rule or control by a small, powerful group.. A system of government or organisation in which power is held by a small, often self-serving group. The oligarchs need not be formally in power — they may simply control the systems that govern others.
Where does the word "Oligarchy" come from?
Greek: 'oligos' (few) + 'arkhein' (to rule). One of Aristotle's three 'deviant' constitutions — rule by the few for their own benefit rather than the common good.