Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
ochlocracy

ochlocracy

9.9
Control of a government by a violent or disorderly mob
  • noun
  • /ˌɑːkləˈkrɑːsi/
  • Formal
translation icon : ochocracia
  • The riots led to an ochlocracy, where emotions governed actions rather than reason.

Examples

  • The Greeks called that ochlocracy (mob rule or majority rule).

    Blog text (11)

  • In an ochlocracy, decisions are often made hastily by the loudest voices in the crowd.

  • Many feared that the transition to ochlocracy would result in chaos and instability.

Synonyms

mobocracy
vsochlocracy
  • Formal
1 9.9

A system where a large angry crowd rules instead of elected leaders

means the same but differs only as a different term form

Antonyms

aristocracy
24 7.2

A small group of rich, powerful families who inherit titles and wealth

oligarchy
17 8.9

A small group of people who have most power in a country or organization

autocracy
5 8.2

A government in which one person has all power

Surface Forms

ochlocracy singular
ochlocracies plural

Morphology

ochlocracy = ochlo + cracy

The meaning 'mob rule' is compositionally clear from the classical combining forms, but the parts are not common standalone English words for many learners.

Etymology

Ochlocracy comes from the Greek word ochlos 'crowd' and the ending -cracy 'rule', the same -cracy you see in democracy. So, ochlocracy means 'rule by the crowd', which is why it describes government by a crowd or mob that acts without order.