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
That, in fact, is precisely what the ayatollahs are counting on.
—
Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In November, activist Omid Sarlak posted a video burning a photograph of the ayatollah.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
The regime said some 3,000 people have been killed in the demonstrations, which began in late December as an economic protest quickly broadened into a general uprising advocating the fall of the ayatollahs.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Jan. 2026
Despite having, in the last week alone, threatened war with the ayatollahs in Iran and with Denmark, the President seems most serious about his actions against protesters in his own country.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
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Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In November, activist Omid Sarlak posted a video burning a photograph of the ayatollah.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
The regime said some 3,000 people have been killed in the demonstrations, which began in late December as an economic protest quickly broadened into a general uprising advocating the fall of the ayatollahs.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Jan. 2026
Despite having, in the last week alone, threatened war with the ayatollahs in Iran and with Denmark, the President seems most serious about his actions against protesters in his own country.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ayatollah
Cite this Entry
“Ayatollah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ayatollah. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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