1
as in monarchy
a system of government in which a religious body holds unlimited power
Under a theocracy, an entire nation officially follows one religion.
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2
as in democracy
a group of people who live in a territory ruled by a religious body
The country was a theocracy governed by religious leaders.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theocracy
As for Iran’s future, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday appeared to play down Trump calling into question the future of Iran’s ruling theocracy, seemingly contradicting his administration’s earlier calls on Tehran to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Five decades of broken agreements have shown that side-deals and photo-ops cannot civilize a theocracy.
—Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
Trump had just days ago pondered the idea of regime change — the overthrow of Iran’s ruling theocracy — something seen here in the French capital as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025
However, Israel’s war on Iran continues, with the Israeli military expanding its campaign Monday to target sites symbolic for the country’s theocracy.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Five decades of broken agreements have shown that side-deals and photo-ops cannot civilize a theocracy.
—Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
Trump had just days ago pondered the idea of regime change — the overthrow of Iran’s ruling theocracy — something seen here in the French capital as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025
However, Israel’s war on Iran continues, with the Israeli military expanding its campaign Monday to target sites symbolic for the country’s theocracy.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theocracy
Noun
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The standoff encapsulates many of Thailand’s long-running political fissures: Shinawatra’s family has dominated its politics for decades, but has faced opposition from its powerful military, courts, and groups tied to the monarchy.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
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The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 as an alliance of the Gulf Arab monarchies in response to growing regional instability, including revolutionary Iran and the Iran-Iraq War.—
Dina Esfandiary,
Time,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Aside from the most ardent Bolsonaro loyalists, Brazilians—regardless of ideology—don't take kindly to foreign leaders telling them how to run their democracy.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The standoff may extend longer than other US-Latin America disputes, one expert noted: Brazil’s president may view the dispute as profitable politically, many Brazilians think the case could define the country’s democracy, and Brasília has little reason to capitulate quickly.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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But a slave mentality remains deeply ingrained in Russian minds, along with a latent monarchism and paternalism.—
Nikita Petrov,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2017
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But for anyone outside the British elite, the constitutional monarchism that emerged after the civil wars did not look much like democracy or true liberty.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
20 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Though the kingdom’s low debt levels are the envy of most other countries, its finances are being stretched by the scale of its ambition.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
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The Fantastic Four are invited to visit the isolated African kingdom of Wakanda by T’Challa, the nation’s young prince.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Noun
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During the dictatorship, blackouts were used to control people.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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But if Trump’s Iran gamble turns out well and Iran’s theocratic dictatorship either crumbles or gives up its uranium enrichment program through diplomatic negotiations — a big if — Trump will be credited with having done something four previous presidents contemplated but ultimately failed to do.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
Noun
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The ignorant need cultural immersion at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, which tells the story of those who fled the Cuban island that went from a free, prosperous republic to an oppressive, impoverished dictatorship within a single generation.—
Luka Ladan,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
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France has meandered through five republics and two empires.—
The Editors,
National Review,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theocracy. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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