adjective
oligarchic
ol-i-GAR-kik
Oligarchic (adjective) means relating to or characteristic of oligarchy. Example: “The report criticised the country's oligarchic power structures.”
adjective
1
Relating to or characteristic of oligarchy.
"The report criticised the country's oligarchic power structures."
"He described the boardroom culture as deeply oligarchic."
"Journalists warned against the country's drift toward oligarchic rule."
How to use oligarchic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something run by, or typical of, a small ruling group.
When to use it
Used mainly in political, historical and journalistic writing rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
oligarchic system
oligarchic rule
oligarchic elite
oligarchic regime
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The report criticised the country's _____ power structures.
Etymology
The word comes from the Late Latin oligarchicus, which in turn derives from the Ancient Greek oligarkhikós. It can also be broken down as oligarch plus the suffix -ic.
Synonyms
View more →
oligarchical
oligarchal
Frequently asked questions
What does oligarchic mean?
It describes something relating to or typical of an oligarchy.
Is oligarchic the same as oligarchical?
Yes, oligarchical and oligarchal are accepted alternative forms with the same meaning.
What part of speech is oligarchic?
It is an adjective, formed from the noun oligarch with the suffix -ic.
What is the meaning of oligarchic?
"oligarchic" (adjective) means relating to or characteristic of oligarchy.
