ayatollah
noun
aya·tol·lah
ˌī-ə-ˈtō-lə 
-ˈtä-
-ˈtä-
-ˈtə-,
ˈī-ə-ˌtō-,
-ˌtä-,
-ˌtə-
: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims
—used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imam
Examples of ayatollah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two ayatollahs said threats to Iran's supreme leader are insults to Islam.
—
Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 30 June 2025
His father was an ayatollah, a religious figure with an exalted title and limited income.
—Steve Inskeep, NPR, 25 June 2025
An authorization wouldn’t force his hand but would certainly give the ayatollahs something else to think about.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 June 2025
The correct course is clear: Help Israel do what needs to be done with the ayatollahs and sufficiently arm Ukraine to thwart Putin’s imperial designs, and the world will be a safer, better place.
Got a tip?
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ayatollah
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Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 30 June 2025
His father was an ayatollah, a religious figure with an exalted title and limited income.
—Steve Inskeep, NPR, 25 June 2025
An authorization wouldn’t force his hand but would certainly give the ayatollahs something else to think about.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 June 2025
The correct course is clear: Help Israel do what needs to be done with the ayatollahs and sufficiently arm Ukraine to thwart Putin’s imperial designs, and the world will be a safer, better place.
Got a tip?
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ayatollah
Cite this Entry
“Ayatollah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ayatollah. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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