Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
corrupt anddishonest government characterised bygreed .
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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ANDERSON: His reign of corruption would last three decades, spawning the term kleptocracy, rule by thieves.
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COOPER: His reign of corruption would last three decades, spawning the term kleptocracy, rule by thieves.
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Many Malaysians now use the word "kleptocracy" to describe their ruling class.
Testing Malaysia's Promises John R. Malott 2012
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A commission on Central America chaired by Henry Kissinger declared in 1984 that the general’s “achievements gave new meaning to the term kleptocracy, that is, government as theft.”
Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010
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A commission on Central America chaired by Henry Kissinger declared in 1984 that the general’s “achievements gave new meaning to the term kleptocracy, that is, government as theft.”
Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010
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A commission on Central America chaired by Henry Kissinger declared in 1984 that the general’s “achievements gave new meaning to the term kleptocracy, that is, government as theft.”
Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010
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A commission on Central America chaired by Henry Kissinger declared in 1984 that the general’s “achievements gave new meaning to the term kleptocracy, that is, government as theft.”
Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010
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Or turning into a southern European kleptocracy is much more of something I’d worry about.
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The journey from revolutionary times, when Mugabe was instrumental in overthrowing a brutal white power structure, to the excesses of his kleptocracy has been a difficult one.
Clarence Lusane: Zimbabwe May Emulate Tunisia, Egypt, Libya... Clarence Lusane 2011
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The journey from revolutionary times, when Mugabe was instrumental in overthrowing a brutal white power structure, to the excesses of his kleptocracy has been a difficult one.
Clarence Lusane: Zimbabwe May Emulate Tunisia, Egypt, Libya... Clarence Lusane 2011
palooka commented on the word kleptocracy
"A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption." per the American Heritage Dictionary. Also kleptocratic & kleptocrat.
January 28, 2007
uselessness commented on the word kleptocracy
This word needs more popularity. Seriously.
August 26, 2007
reesetee commented on the word kleptocracy
I agree. Not enough people are stealing it.
August 27, 2007
skipvia commented on the word kleptocracy
Yes, as through this world I've wandered
I've seen lots of funny men;
Some will rob you with a six-gun,
And some with a fountain pen.
-Woody Guthrie, Pretty Boy Floyd
October 31, 2007
avivamagnolia commented on the word kleptocracy
~ a political regime whose members make flagrantly dishonest use of their official position for personal gain
Related Forms:
* kleptocrat klep′·to·crat′ (-tə krat′) noun
* kleptocratic klep′·to·crat′ic adjective
Usage Examples
* Lord Black accused of running a "corporate kleptocracy."
January 18, 2009