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 political class devoted to maintaining Iran’s Shiite theocracy remains intact.
—
Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Many women could be seen going about their day without wearing the theocracy’s mandatory head covering, the enforcement of which has eased in recent years.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
By definition, regime change is systemic change – something that has yet to be seen in the Islamic Republic, which remains under the same authoritarian theocracy that has been in place since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Trump’s motivation for entering the war has been scattered, mostly bouncing between overthrowing Iran’s totalitarian theocracy and eliminating the nation’s nuclear capability.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Many women could be seen going about their day without wearing the theocracy’s mandatory head covering, the enforcement of which has eased in recent years.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
By definition, regime change is systemic change – something that has yet to be seen in the Islamic Republic, which remains under the same authoritarian theocracy that has been in place since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Trump’s motivation for entering the war has been scattered, mostly bouncing between overthrowing Iran’s totalitarian theocracy and eliminating the nation’s nuclear capability.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theocracy
Noun
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The monarchy tends to treat royal residences as working assets, sometimes even leased to staff, rather than as displays of opulence.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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The monarchies of Spain and Monaco are governed by different systems, and their royal families go by different stylings.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Thomason called on Black Kansas Citians to galvanize their voting power around two issues core to the future of democracy in Missouri.—
Freddrell Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
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The Catholic Church was a pillar of Franco’s dictatorship, and at least until the 1960s, the church enjoyed broad control and influence over Spanish society that waned after democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
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There is also a generalized suspicion of democracy, cities, modernization, progress, cultural relativism, and materialism in favor of monarchism, agrarianism, stasis, fantasies of good versus evil, and a traditionalism that at times borders on religious fundamentalism. ..—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
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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
Noun
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That is a reflection of the kingdom’s shifting priorities and greater focus on bringing in foreign investors.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 June 2026
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However, our sweet goddess planet will very soon venture into the kingdom of Leo from June 13 until July 9.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Stolen from his Chilean mother as a baby and raised in suburban Chicago, 36-year-old Kyle Adler finally reunites with her, confronting an identity shaped by dictatorship-era trafficking.—
Vanessa A. Alvarez,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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Every administration since the Marcos dictatorship has directed particular attention to the island of Negros, which has seen considerable NPA activity because of the area’s chronic struggles over land rights.—
Patrick Peralta,
The Conversation,
28 May 2026
Noun
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As a reward for leading numerous successful military campaigns against southern separatists in 1994, Saleh appointed Hadi as vice president of the new republic.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
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So Americans embraced Roman triumphal arches—symbols of that ancient republic—almost from the start.—
Tyler Green,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theocracy. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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