mullah

noun

mul·​lah ˈmə-lə How to pronounce mullah (audio) ˈmu̇- How to pronounce mullah (audio)
: an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official post
mullahism noun

Examples of mullah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Instead, the policies have only encouraged more malign and destabilizing actions from the mullahs who actually run the country with an iron fist. The Editors, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024 The clerical regime likes to argue that its revolution reclaimed Iran’s independence, but the mullahs have now given a new foreign power several keys to their realm. Reuel Marc Gerecht, Foreign Affairs, 7 Sep. 2023 Israel is also being blamed by Iran, the chief supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, for the assassination in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which was announced early Wednesday; the mullahs vow revenge. Max Boot, Washington Post, 31 July 2024 Biden's relaxation of sanctions against Tehran allowed the mullahs to increase their training and support of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Iraqi Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations. Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for mullah 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mullah.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Turkish molla & Persian & Urdu mulla, from Arabic mawlā

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mullah was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near mullah

Cite this Entry

“Mullah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullah. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mullah

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!