oligarchy
Example Sentences
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George Mason and other proponents of the Bill of Rights intended the First Amendment to prevent the emergence of an aristocracy—or what we would today call an oligarchy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
It imposes a duty on the federal government to prevent states from sliding into oligarchy or other antidemocratic forms of government.
From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026
Typically wearing a traditional Caribbean shirt, Cepeda forgoes a tie, which he considers a symbol of oligarchy.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
By that time, Russian oligarchy was well and truly dead, too.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
It’s not hard for me to believe that the Bureau would do bad things, because every government I’ve ever known has done bad things, even the Abnegation oligarchy, of which my father was the head.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
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Immediately following the war, Sparta established oligarchies of local aristocrats in the city-states that had been democracies under the Delian League.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
Global supply chains were supposed to lower costs, boost profits and enable democratic values to seep into the terrain of oligarchies, dictatorships and autocracies.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 11, 2022
Autocracies, unlike oligarchies, make for engaging political theater.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2021
To the present day at least 10 of the 15 former Soviet republics can be accurately described as oligarchies.
From Scientific American ● Oct. 30, 2019
All past oligarchies have fallen from power either because they ossified or because they grew soft.
From "1984" by George Orwell
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Vocabulary lists containing oligarchy
Play by the Rules: Arch
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"On Women's Right to Vote" by Susan B. Anthony
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