1. relating to or characteristic of government by a small group of people
Usage: political science

Examples

• The oligarchical system concentrated power in the hands of wealthy families.
• Many criticized the company’s oligarchical decision-making process.
• The ancient city-state had an oligarchical government controlled by merchants.
• Oligarchical tendencies emerged as the organization grew larger.
• The revolution aimed to overthrow the oligarchical regime.
• Critics argued that the board’s oligarchical structure stifled innovation.