Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Thieves regarded as a ruling class; thieves collectively.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Alternative spelling of kleptocracy.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • COOPER: His reign of corruption would last three decades, spawning the term cleptocracy, "rule by thieves."

    CNN Transcript Oct 6, 2006 2006

  • COOPER: His reign of corruption would last three decades, spawning the term "cleptocracy," rule by thieves.

    CNN Transcript Oct 28, 2006 2006

  • So now the Palestinians live under a murderous gangster cleptocracy in Yehuda and under a murderous Islamist dictatorship in Gaza, both headed by organizations who are committed both in writing and in fact to the end of Israel.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Correction on Israeli Visa Policy 2010

  • So now the Palestinians live under a murderous gangster cleptocracy in Yehuda and under a murderous Islamist dictatorship in Gaza, both headed by organizations who are committed both in writing and in fact to the end of Israel.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Correction on Israeli Visa Policy 2010

  • Sa are we living in an oligarchy or a cleptocracy?

    Think Progress » Housing Sec. Canceled Contract Because Contractor Criticized Bush, Apparently Violating Law 2006

  • It was last modified at cleptocracy 23 August 2011 9:09PM

    The Guardian World News Tom Bawden 2011

  • Saudi Arabia is the source of most Al-Qaeda fighters, funding and instigator of Islamic agitation all over the world, but it is also a major source of oil, and its royal cleptocracy owns large chunks of major American corporations.

    WN.com - Business News 2010

  • So now the Palestinians live under a murderous gangster cleptocracy in Yehuda and under a murderous Islamist dictatorship in Gaza, both headed by organizations who are committed both in writing and in fact to the end of Israel.

    The Volokh Conspiracy Eugene Volokh 2010

  • It is their leadership which is totally corrupt and we US. citizens continue to allow our leaders to support this 150 year old cleptocracy.

    Yahoo! News: Business - Opinion 2010

  • Saudi Arabia is the source of most Al-Qaeda fighters, funding and instigator of Islamic agitation all over the world, but it is also a major source of oil, and its royal cleptocracy owns large chunks of major American corporations.

    WN.com - Business News 2010

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