mullah

noun

mul·​lah ˈmə-lə How to pronounce mullah (audio) ˈmu̇- How to pronounce mullah (audio)
: a Muslim and especially a religious scholar or cleric who has studied Islamic law and doctrine
often used as an honorific title
mullahism noun

Examples of mullah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Qatar, which ordinarily supports the mullahs’ interests, has also been targeted. Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026 But given that the administration has never listed making Iran’s mullahs less attractive as a primary war objective, this is a minor comfort. Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 The leaders of the new Shia Muslim theocracy thought of America as an intruder in the Middle East, and an obstacle to the mullahs' goal of spreading their Islamic revolution. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026 In fact, the obsequious Barack Obama and the hapless Joe Biden helped Iran by sending in plane loads of cash to the murdering mullahs in exchange for nothing. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mullah

Word History

Etymology

Turkish molla & Persian & Urdu mulla, from Arabic mawlā

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mullah was in 1613

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mullah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullah. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mullah

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster