theocracy
noun
the·oc·ra·cy
thē-ˈä-krə-sē 
plural theocracies
1
: government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided
2
: a state governed by a theocracy
Examples of theocracy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The status quo—an ossified theocracy presiding over a bankrupt economy and an aggrieved populace—has already proven unsustainable.
—
Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
In Westwood — the epicenter of the community, where the eponymous boulevard is lined by storefronts covered in Persian script — the widespread opposition to Iran’s hard-line theocracy is hard to miss.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Now the theocracy that succeeded his rule is in its third generation—and in its own desperate struggle to survive.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
The demonstrations began a little over two weeks ago in anger over Iran’s ailing economy and soon targeted the theocracy, particularly 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theocracy. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
theocracy
noun
the·oc·ra·cy
thē-ˈäk-rə-sē
plural theocracies
1
: government of a country by officials believed to have divine guidance
2
: a country governed by a theocracy
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