oligarchic

Also ol·i·gar·chi·cal

[ol-i-gahr-kik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of an oligarchy.

Other Word Forms

• oligarchically adverb
• nonoligarchic adjective
• nonoligarchical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oligarchic¹

1640–50; < Greek oligarchikós, equivalent to oligarch ( ía ) oligarchy + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Imperial overreach comes home: financial crisis, a Spartan fleet off the coast of Attica and an oligarchic coup in Athens.

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Relying on a simplistic narrative of patriotism, religious faith, benevolent oligarchic rule and the restoration of lost national glory, Franco largely succeeded in fighting off the enormous social and cultural changes of the postwar decades.

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But they were always intended to sustain an unstable compromise between true popular sovereignty and the oligarchic forms of power created and demanded by an economy built on private enterprise.

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It also builds on his farewell address earlier this year, in which he warned of the rise of oligarchic power, rampant disinformation, and the weakening of democratic institutions.

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Many of the rank-and-file workers without whom Bezos, Dell and their fellow plutocrats could have reached their pinnacles of fortune have struggled in the oligarchic economy, relying on public assistance to make ends meet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does oligarchic mean?

Oligarchic is used to describe things that involve an oligarchy—a government or system in which power is held by a select few individuals or a small class of powerful people.Such people can be called oligarchs. Oligarchic is typically used to describe systems that resemble or function as oligarchies or the actions of people considered oligarchs.In an oligarchy, the oligarchs may be the actual leaders, or they may influence or control the decisions that the leaders make (meaning that they’re the ones “pulling the strings” behind the scenes).Oligarchy is never used as an official term for a form of government (like monarchy is, for example)—it’s almost always applied as a criticism of such situations. Describing something as oligarchic is frequently used as a way of pointing out the influence of the wealthy and powerful in politics and government—an influence that’s typically used to benefit themselves.A country that is thought to have an oligarchic government can also be referred to as an oligarchy, as in Many outsiders view the nation as an oppressive oligarchy.  Oligarchy can also refer to the class of people who have the power in this kind of system, as in The country was run by an oligarchy consisting of a few powerful industrialists.Example: Average citizens are angry because the oligarchic system is rigged to benefit the rich and powerful.