deep state

noun

plural deep states

: an alleged secret network of especially nonelected government officials and sometimes private entities (as in the financial services and defense industries) operating extralegally to influence and enact government policy

The power of the deep state comes from experience, knowledge, relationships, insight, craft, special skills, traditions, and shared values. Together, these purported attributes make nameless bureaucrats into a supergovernment that is accountable to no one.

—David Rothkopf

What the archbishop suspected was a crime stage-managed by Turkey's "deep state"—an opaque underworld where powerful elements within the state, especially the military and security services, act in conjunction with violent extremist groups … as well as the apolitical criminal underworld, to undertake special, illegal operations in the political interest of the country's ruling elite.

—John Eibner

Examples of deep state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the second redux shown later in the episode, the trio are once again working to stop an explosion, this time at a deep state facility, whereupon Powell pulls out another copy of the list, citing MacGruber’s advice to always duplicate evidence. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025

And both basketball programs have recently made deep state tournament runs. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025

Is the Nobel Peace Prize just another deep state, soft-power tool intended to boost the US global military empire? —Ron Paul, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025

At a time when deep state cuts have slashed arts funding, horror movies have proven to be a frighteningly resilient business in South Florida — and the proof is in Popcorn Frights, a defiantly indie horror bash that has inexplicably become Broward County’s biggest film festival. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025

Gabbard claims ‘deep state actors’ didn’t want Trump-Russia information to 'see the light of day' 2. —FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025

If deemed credible, however, his cooperation could dramatically expand the U.S. government’s understanding of Venezuela’s deep state—and potentially serve as a catalyst for new sanctions, prosecutions, or international pressure campaigns aimed at isolating the regime. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025

In true Trump fashion, the store’s owner is refusing to concede defeat and has vowed to fight suburbia’s deep state. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

translation of Turkish derin devlet

First Known Use

1997, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deep state

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate