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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 reports say the decisions will halt funding for opponents of the country’s Shiite theocracy — pro-democracy activists and others supported through programs as part of U.S. government’s efforts to help democracy worldwide.
—
Nasser Karimi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Sadly, people who seem inclined toward a theocracy instead—like many who were part of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021—continue to organize and gain political power.
—Amanda Tyler, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
This vision reflects the influence of Reformed Reconstructionism, a theology that advocates for a Christian theocracy, where secular government is subservient to biblical law.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Since 2017, sporadic protests have challenged the theocracy over soaring prices of basic necessities, repression and imprisonment of dissidents, and women’s personal rights.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theocracy 
Nasser Karimi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Sadly, people who seem inclined toward a theocracy instead—like many who were part of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021—continue to organize and gain political power.
—Amanda Tyler, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
This vision reflects the influence of Reformed Reconstructionism, a theology that advocates for a Christian theocracy, where secular government is subservient to biblical law.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Since 2017, sporadic protests have challenged the theocracy over soaring prices of basic necessities, repression and imprisonment of dissidents, and women’s personal rights.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theocracy
Noun
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While the king still loves him as a brother, there is the family business – the monarchy.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The Hashemite monarchy has had an uneasy relationship with Palestinian activism.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Vance argued that censorship and government overreach pose a greater threat to European democracy than external adversaries like Russia or China.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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China’s ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy as its own territory, and has vowed to take control of the island one day, by force if necessary.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But a slave mentality remains deeply ingrained in Russian minds, along with a latent monarchism and paternalism.—
Nikita Petrov,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2017
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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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He is paid hundreds of millions per year to play in the country, and frequently appears at events in the kingdom and in marketing to support its investments and tourism efforts.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
16 Feb. 2025
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But storybook fortresses aren’t exclusive to mythical kingdoms and romantic tales.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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When Johnson Sirleaf came to power, in 2006, Liberia had been wracked by more than a decade of civil war, a military dictatorship, and chronic poverty.—
John Cassidy,
The New Yorker,
8 Feb. 2025
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If allowed to proceed, Trump's purge of our federal law enforcement workforce will expose America to authoritarianism and dictatorship.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Three Thai women were rescued after a group of Chinese gangsters enslaved them in the former Soviet republic of Georgia in order to harvest their eggs.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Yet, this republic collapsed quickly following the withdrawal of Soviet support and the subsequent execution of Qazi Mohammad, the head of the Republic, by the Shah’s security forces.—
Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made by History,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theocracy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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