What does monopolistic mean?
Monopolistic describes a market, business, or system in which one supplier has enough control to limit competition and the entry of other firms. The term is especially common in economics, competition law, and business reporting, where it refers to dominant market power, barriers to entry, or practices that unfairly preserve exclusive control. In everyday discussion, “monopolistic” may be used more loosely for a product with few suppliers, although the precise economic meaning is stronger and usually involves a single dominant provider. A monopolistic position can result from legal exclusivity, such as a patent or public franchise, or from business practices that prevent competitors from entering a market. The word is therefore associated with restricted choice, pricing power, and concerns about fair competition, rather than simply with a product being sold by one company.
adjectiveCharacterizing a market, business, or economic system in which one supplier has dominant control and substantial power to restrict competition. It can also describe practices intended to preserve such control.
- Having or exercising the power to exclude competitors, especially in a market.
- Characteristic of a market, business, or economic system dominated by one supplier or very few participants.
- Based on or tending toward exclusive control of trade or an activity.
"The company defended its monopolistic position in the market by opposing new competitors."
"Regulators argued that the agreement gave the firm monopolistic control over distribution."
"The essay examined how monopolistic practices can restrict consumer choice."
A monopolistic market sounds competitive only until one supplier controls the terms of entry.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
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How monopolistic is actually used
Primarily used in economics, business, and legal or regulatory discussion. It is generally critical or analytical rather than neutral, and it is more specific than simply describing a large company.
Easily confused with monopolistic
A monopoly is the exclusive control of a market or trade by one supplier, whereas monopolistic describes the market, power, or practices associated with such control.
Monopolistic emphasizes control or market power associated with a single supplier, while oligopolistic describes a market dominated by a small number of large firms.