oligarchic

adjective

ol·​i·​gar·​chic ˌä-lə-ˈgär-kik 

ˌō-

variants or oligarchical

ˌä-lə-ˈgär-ki-kəl 

ˌō-

: of, relating to, or based on an oligarchy

Examples of oligarchic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Orbán’s autocratic rule, his takeover of the press and courts, and the corruption of his family and oligarchic friends became intolerable. —Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

After 16 years of what Orbán himself described as an illiberal regime, the Hungarian leader’s political party, Fidesz, had come to control much of the judiciary, bureaucracy, and universities, as well as a group of oligarchic companies that in turn controlled a good chunk of the economy. —Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026

But, as historian Matthew Karp writes, at its birth the party was itself a rebellion, channeling popular fury over the oligarchic power of enslavers into a national electoral force. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Apr. 2026

Henry’s and Harper’s final scenes this year show them with loved ones—him with his oligarchic protectors; her with her glib but emotionally grounded lover, Kwabena. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, Medieval Latin & Greek; French oligarchique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin oligarchicus, borrowed from Greek oligarchikós, from oligarchía oligarchy + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oligarchic

• anarchic
• hierarchic