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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Western nations spent years racing to grab a slice of this oligarchic capital, loosening regulations and tightening protections to attract the kinds of malign wealth Russian oligarchs know well. 
Casey Michel, The New Republic, 27 Apr. 2022 In addition to the overhaul of its governance, Moldova needs a drastic break with the oligarchic system, wherein rich and powerful people like Vladimir Plahotniuc, Anatolie Stati, Ilan Shor have made names for themselves. Cristian Gherasim, CNN, 17 June 2022 America may be dominated by oligarchic elites, but arguably the biggest threat to our economic and political system might be located further down the food chain. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Apr. 2022 Newman understands how kleptocracy and oligarchic excess — both in Russia and in the West — repel and attract us in 2022. Michael Taylor, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Apr. 2022 While seizures of yachts and fancy homes may grab headlines – and may send some oligarchs scrambling to offload similar assets – the reality remains that industry after industry in the US remains wide open to anonymous, oligarchic wealth. Casey Michel, CNN, 26 Apr. 2022 The events have unfolded like a series of parables—about oligarchic corruption and individual bravery, but also about the need for international coöperation. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2022 Despite the drawbacks of the latter—and their many failings in places like Poland —many Ukrainians might prefer the liberal democratic version of capitalism to the oligarchic authoritarian one. Jan Smoleński, The New Republic, 22 Mar. 2022 Many scholars and historians today believe that the Megarian Decree, as the sanctions are called, is at least partially to blame for the Peloponnesian War, a decades-long conflict between democratic Athens and oligarchic Sparta, Megara’s ally. Frank Holmes, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 See More
Casey Michel, The New Republic, 27 Apr. 2022 In addition to the overhaul of its governance, Moldova needs a drastic break with the oligarchic system, wherein rich and powerful people like Vladimir Plahotniuc, Anatolie Stati, Ilan Shor have made names for themselves. Cristian Gherasim, CNN, 17 June 2022 America may be dominated by oligarchic elites, but arguably the biggest threat to our economic and political system might be located further down the food chain. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Apr. 2022 Newman understands how kleptocracy and oligarchic excess — both in Russia and in the West — repel and attract us in 2022. Michael Taylor, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Apr. 2022 While seizures of yachts and fancy homes may grab headlines – and may send some oligarchs scrambling to offload similar assets – the reality remains that industry after industry in the US remains wide open to anonymous, oligarchic wealth. Casey Michel, CNN, 26 Apr. 2022 The events have unfolded like a series of parables—about oligarchic corruption and individual bravery, but also about the need for international coöperation. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2022 Despite the drawbacks of the latter—and their many failings in places like Poland —many Ukrainians might prefer the liberal democratic version of capitalism to the oligarchic authoritarian one. Jan Smoleński, The New Republic, 22 Mar. 2022 Many scholars and historians today believe that the Megarian Decree, as the sanctions are called, is at least partially to blame for the Peloponnesian War, a decades-long conflict between democratic Athens and oligarchic Sparta, Megara’s ally. Frank Holmes, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 See More 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