Synonyms of theocracy

theocracy

noun

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.

Related Words

• monarchy
• monarchism
• dictatorship
• tyranny
• autocracy
• monocracy
• despotism
• totalitarianism
• authoritarianism
• absolutism
• autarchy
• Caesarism
• totalism
• czarism

Dissimilar Words

• democracy
• freedom
• self-government
• self-rule
• self-governance
• sovereignty
• autonomy
• self-determination

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.

Related Words

• democracy
• monarchy
• kingdom
• republic
• dictatorship
• province
• sultanate
• principality
• sovereign
• oligarchy
• state
• nation
• nation-state
• domain
• empire
• monocracy
• dominion
• realm
• country
• colony
• city-state
• dependency
• mandate
• ministate
• settlement
• duchy
• homeland
• microstate
• soil
• dukedom
• trust territory
• fatherland
• commonwealth
• superpower
• emirate
• condominium
• sea power
• world power
• great power
• seigniory
• motherland
• welfare state
• client state
• land
• power
• sovereignty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of theocracy

This swept away Iran’s monarchy and birthed a state that is part theocracy, part republic, with a handful of semi-democratic institutions swaddled by a system that is ultimately clerical. — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

That may get worse, as the IRGC has taken the leading role in the Shia theocracy. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Daisy, who grew up beyond the reaches of theocracy and maybe even religion, seems to understand this profoundly and instinctively. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026

The newly elevated leaders, including Ghalibaf, owe their power to the same authoritarian theocracy that sustained the Ayatollah’s regime. — Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026