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

Trump had just days ago pondered the idea of regime change — the overthrow of Iran’s ruling theocracy — something seen here in the French capital as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025

However, Israel’s war on Iran continues, with the Israeli military expanding its campaign Monday to target sites symbolic for the country’s theocracy. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025

And will the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the Islamic theocracy survive politically after the military onslaughts? —Robin Wright, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

This is not about Western countries being against Iran’s Jurassic theocracy for imprisoning women for failing to cover their heads with a hijab, or for executing gays, or any of its other abhorrent internal policies. —Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek theokratia, from the- + -kratia -cracy

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for theocracy

• autocracy
• bureaucracy
• democracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• aristocracy
• meritocracy

Kids 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