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
In 1979, a revolution established an Islamic Republic, grounded in strict Muslim religious ideology, led by a religious ayatollah.
—
Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
Its fight is with the regime, not with the Iranian people, who have been oppressed by the ayatollahs for almost half a century.
—Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ayatollah
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Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
Its fight is with the regime, not with the Iranian people, who have been oppressed by the ayatollahs for almost half a century.
—Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ayatollah
Cite this Entry
“Ayatollah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ayatollah. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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