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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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
Here’s the official logline via Netflix: When does a democracy end, and a theocracy begin?
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
There had been intense anger toward Trump from Iran’s theocracy, particularly over his decision to launch a drone strike that killed prominent Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
From executive producers Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield, the drama is based on the 2019 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name set in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead more than 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
Iran’s theocracy has responded by dialing back hijab enforcement and easing restrictions on at least one political figure.
—Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
There had been intense anger toward Trump from Iran’s theocracy, particularly over his decision to launch a drone strike that killed prominent Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
From executive producers Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield, the drama is based on the 2019 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name set in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead more than 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
Iran’s theocracy has responded by dialing back hijab enforcement and easing restrictions on at least one political figure.
—Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theocracy
Noun
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In the 1970s, Iran thrived as a modernizing, pro-Western monarchy with the capital, Tehran, a cosmopolitan hub.—
Sharyl Attkisson,
Baltimore Sun,
27 June 2025
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Pakistan was among the earliest countries to establish new diplomatic ties with Iran following its 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted pro-Western monarchy and put in place the country's current theocratic system.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
Noun
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This is essential to stop further erosion of the rule of law, the attack on democracy, and the threat of authoritarianism.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Persistent illiberalism in both erstwhile liberal democracies would strengthen similar political forces in other countries.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 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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The tomb was discovered at the archeological site of Gordion, the capital of the Phrygian kingdom, which controlled much of Asia Minor during the first millennium BCE, Gordion Excavation Director C. Brian Rose said in a news release.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
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But there is, among others, an unease around the Saudi relationship and the way Infantino and FIFA seemed to clear the way for the kingdom to host the 2034 World Cup.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Newsom is a potential Democratic Party presidential nominee in 2028. Democrats, partisan media and other critics of Trump are raising the spectre of diversion of our military from their proper constitutional roles, and even possible military dictatorship.—
Arthur Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
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This brings me back to the conclusion that the Venezuelan dictatorship — perhaps Latin America’s biggest potential winner of a global oil price hike — along with Colombia and Mexico may get, at best, a brief respite if the Iran war disrupts world oil shipping lanes.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
Noun
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In the long term, the collapse of that pillar of regime stability could weaken the edifice of the Islamic republic itself.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 June 2025
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In the early republic, communications were slow and military deployments took months.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theocracy. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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