1
as in monarchy
a system of government in which a religious body holds unlimited power
Under a theocracy, an entire nation officially follows one religion.
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2
as in democracy
a group of people who live in a territory ruled by a religious body
The country was a theocracy governed by religious leaders.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theocracy
The aims have ranged from weakening Iran's nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy.
—
Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
After a referendum, Iran became a constitutional republic, with universal suffrage, a president and a parliament, but one wrapped in a theocracy; ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 2026
The aims have ranged from weakening Iran’s nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Killing Soleimani would likely further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
After a referendum, Iran became a constitutional republic, with universal suffrage, a president and a parliament, but one wrapped in a theocracy; ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 2026
The aims have ranged from weakening Iran’s nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Killing Soleimani would likely further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theocracy
Noun
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Can the monarchy recover from this scandal?—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
28 Mar. 2026
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Mullally’s appointment also represents a sign of openness and renewal for the Church globally, made even more significant by the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are ready to lend support and renew the collaboration between the monarchy and the religious institution.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pundits say the public is too divided, the issues too technical, and the competition with China too urgent for democracy.—
Justin Rosenstein,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Mongolia is a relatively new democracy, transitioning from a one-party Communist system in 1990.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But for anyone outside the British elite, the constitutional monarchism that emerged after the civil wars did not look much like democracy or true liberty.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
20 Aug. 2024
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And the Decemberists tried to overthrow the Tsar and insist on having some of the more basic aspects of representative constitutional monarchism introduced into Russia.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2022
Noun
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Yet the man currently in charge of the kingdom, the one who has added two championships of his own to the university coffers, is struggling with the old vocabulary in this very modern-day college athletics world.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
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And 34 years after Euro Disney became a punchline, a brand-new kingdom opened in the fields east of Paris — for the first time in forever.—
Thomas Adamson,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The program, launched in 1975 during the country's military dictatorship, has successfully evolved in democratic times to reduce dependency on foreign oil.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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President Javier Milei’s government has called for a broader account that also includes victims of left-wing guerrilla violence, which some suggest is a way to minimize the crimes of the dictatorship.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But right from the start of the republic, presidents have chosen close political allies to serve as attorney general.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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Its Ten-Point Plan calls for a secular democratic republic, a non-nuclear Iran, gender equality, separation of religion and state, a free-market economy, peaceful coexistence with the world, and recognition of the rights of Iran’s diverse nationalities within a unified country.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theocracy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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