Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characteristic of an oligarchy: Pertaining to a form of government or organization where power is held by a small, privileged group.
   • Supporting an oligarchy: Describing a person, group, or principle that advocates for or upholds such a system of power.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The country's political system became increasingly oligarchical, with a few wealthy families controlling all major decisions.
  • Critics argue that the corporation's board has an oligarchical structure, lacking true democratic input from shareholders.

Advanced Usage

• "oligarchical control": The exercise of power by a small, exclusive group.
  • The revolution aimed to dismantle the oligarchical control over the nation's resources.
• "oligarchical tendencies": Inclinations or patterns within an organization or state that concentrate power among a few.
  • The political party, despite its democratic origins, began to show oligarchical tendencies.

Variants and Related Words

• Oligarchy (n): A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.
  • The nation transitioned from a monarchy to an oligarchy.
• Oligarch (n): A member of an oligarchy; a very rich business leader with great political influence.
  • The oligarch used his wealth to influence policy.
• Oligarchic (adj): A variant form with the same meaning as "oligarchical".
  • The regime's oligarchic nature was evident.

Synonyms

• Autocratic: Relating to a ruler with absolute power (similar in concentration of power, though not necessarily by a group).
• Plutocratic: Relating to government by the wealthy (a specific type of oligarchy).

Antonyms

• Democratic: Relating to or supporting democracy, where power is held by the people.
• Egalitarian: Believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or supporting or characteristic of an oligarchy