theocracy
noun
the·oc·ra·cy
thē-ˈä-krə-sē 
plural theocracies
1
: government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided
2
: a state governed by a theocracy
Examples of theocracy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Testaments takes place in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead more than 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale.
—
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
No such common cause binds Iran’s religious theocracy, Russia’s neoimperialist nationalism, the hereditary despotism of North Korea’s regime, and the blend of nationalism, Confucianism, and Marxism-Leninism that animates the Chinese Communist Party.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2025
At one level, Sudan is yet another proxy conflict between the Middle East’s squabbling theocracies, with Qatar and Iran major backers of the SAF.
—Charlie Campbell / Dubai, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Protests over women’s rights, the economy and Iran’s theocracy in recent years have shaken its government.
—Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
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.
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
No such common cause binds Iran’s religious theocracy, Russia’s neoimperialist nationalism, the hereditary despotism of North Korea’s regime, and the blend of nationalism, Confucianism, and Marxism-Leninism that animates the Chinese Communist Party.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2025
At one level, Sudan is yet another proxy conflict between the Middle East’s squabbling theocracies, with Qatar and Iran major backers of the SAF.
—Charlie Campbell / Dubai, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Protests over women’s rights, the economy and Iran’s theocracy in recent years have shaken its government.
—Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theocracy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theocracy
noun
the·oc·ra·cy
thē-ˈäk-rə-sē
plural theocracies
1
: government of a country by officials believed to have divine guidance
2
: a country governed by a theocracy
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share