noun
ochlocracy
ok-LOK-ruh-see
Ochlocracy (noun) means Government or rule by an unruly crowd or mob rather than by law or elected leaders. Example: “Critics accused the uprising of descending into ochlocracy.”
noun
1
Government or rule by an unruly crowd or mob rather than by law or elected leaders.
"Critics accused the uprising of descending into ochlocracy."
"The philosopher warned that unchecked populism could slide into ochlocracy."
"Historians still debate whether the revolt truly became an ochlocracy."
How to use ochlocracy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOchlocracy means rule by an angry or unruly crowd rather than by proper government.
When to use it
It is a formal, mostly political or historical term, rarely used in everyday speech.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
descend into ochlocracy
slide into ochlocracy
a form of ochlocracy
accused of ochlocracy
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Critics accused the uprising of descending into _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French ochlocratie, which came from Ancient Greek okhlokratia. That Greek word joins okhlos, meaning crowd or multitude, with kratos, meaning power or rule.
Synonyms
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mobocracy
Rhymes for ochlocracy
See all rhymes for ochlocracy →Frequently asked questions
What does ochlocracy mean?
It means mob rule, government controlled by an unruly crowd rather than by law or elected leaders.
Where does the word ochlocracy come from?
It comes from Ancient Greek, joining okhlos, meaning crowd, with kratos, meaning power or rule.
Is ochlocracy the same as mobocracy?
Yes, mobocracy is a synonym for ochlocracy.
What is the meaning of ochlocracy?
"ochlocracy" (noun) means government or rule by an unruly crowd or mob rather than by law or elected leaders.
