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 and dishonest government characterised by greed.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Greek kleptein, to steal + –cracy.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

klepto- + -cracy

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Examples

  • ANDERSON: His reign of corruption would last three decades, spawning the term kleptocracy, rule by thieves.

    CNN Transcript Oct 7, 2006 2006

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

    CNN Transcript Oct 3, 2006 2006

  • Many Malaysians now use the word "kleptocracy" to describe their ruling class.

    Testing Malaysia's Promises John R. Malott 2012

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Or turning into a southern European kleptocracy is much more of something I’d worry about.

    Matthew Yglesias » McConnell Warns of American Dystopia — More Equality, Less Poverty, Longer Life Expectancy 2009

  • 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

  • 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

Comments

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  • "A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption." per the American Heritage Dictionary. Also kleptocratic & kleptocrat.

    January 28, 2007

  • This word needs more popularity. Seriously.

    August 26, 2007

  • I agree. Not enough people are stealing it.

    August 27, 2007

  • 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

  • ~ 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