theocratic
adjective
theo·crat·ic
ˌthē-ə-ˈkra-tik 
variants
or less commonly theocratical
: of, relating to, or being a theocracy
Examples of theocratic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These demonstrations posed the most significant threat to Iran’s government since 1979, fueling speculation that today’s theocratic regime could ultimately go the way of yesterday’s monarchy.
—
Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2023
Its founder was not a member of Congress but Paul Weyrich, a hard-right nutter with theocratic leanings with a fair claim to being the Johnny Appleseed of the New Right, having also co-founded the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority, and the American Legislative Exchange Council.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 27 Mar. 2023
Trump’s White House also argued that the Iran nuclear pact did not crack down on the theocratic state’s terrorism and restrict its missile program.
—Fox News, 5 Mar. 2023
Its hero—the commander of the title—is a real-life figure too: Qasem Soleimani, a major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a military force under the command of Iran’s theocratic leadership.
—Kamiab Ghorbanpour, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2023
The global soccer tournament is being hosted by Qatar, a theocratic petrostate with a terrible track record on human rights.
—The Week Staff, The Week, 27 Nov. 2022
At one time, opponents of clerical rule looked hopefully to figures such as Mohammad Khatami, who served as president from 1997 to 2005, and Mousavi in 2009, but these leaders refused to make a full break with the theocratic system.
—Lucan Ahmad Way, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
But this country was founded with one nation, which was born with slavery and with a very theocratic, illiberal bent, and another that was committed to a more commercial, innovative, secular culture.
—How To Save A Country, The New Republic, 11 May 2023
In all, the budget reserved about four billion dollars for coalition funds, which favor theocratic priorities—about ten per cent of the entire budget for 2023 and, coincidentally, roughly what Israel gets yearly from the U.S. in aid.
—Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 17 June 2023
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Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2023
Its founder was not a member of Congress but Paul Weyrich, a hard-right nutter with theocratic leanings with a fair claim to being the Johnny Appleseed of the New Right, having also co-founded the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority, and the American Legislative Exchange Council.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 27 Mar. 2023
Trump’s White House also argued that the Iran nuclear pact did not crack down on the theocratic state’s terrorism and restrict its missile program.
—Fox News, 5 Mar. 2023
Its hero—the commander of the title—is a real-life figure too: Qasem Soleimani, a major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a military force under the command of Iran’s theocratic leadership.
—Kamiab Ghorbanpour, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2023
The global soccer tournament is being hosted by Qatar, a theocratic petrostate with a terrible track record on human rights.
—The Week Staff, The Week, 27 Nov. 2022
At one time, opponents of clerical rule looked hopefully to figures such as Mohammad Khatami, who served as president from 1997 to 2005, and Mousavi in 2009, but these leaders refused to make a full break with the theocratic system.
—Lucan Ahmad Way, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
But this country was founded with one nation, which was born with slavery and with a very theocratic, illiberal bent, and another that was committed to a more commercial, innovative, secular culture.
—How To Save A Country, The New Republic, 11 May 2023
In all, the budget reserved about four billion dollars for coalition funds, which favor theocratic priorities—about ten per cent of the entire budget for 2023 and, coincidentally, roughly what Israel gets yearly from the U.S. in aid.
—Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 17 June 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theocratic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1690, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near theocratic
Cite this Entry
“Theocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theocratic. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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