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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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In the late 1990s, Nigeria’s rulers began promoting domestic industry as the country transitioned from years of military rule into a democracy.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes,
17 Feb. 2025
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Leaders were left stunned Friday after U.S. Vice President JD Vance used his speech at Munich Security Conference to launch an attack on European democracy, provoking strong rebuttals from the region.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
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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The accusations, laid out in a 272-page indictment, suggest that Brazil came strikingly close to plunging back into, in effect, a military dictatorship nearly four decades into its modern democracy.—
Jack Nicas,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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Torres’ portrayal of Eunice Paiva, a mother who spent decades searching for justice after the disappearance of her husband during Brazil’s military dictatorship, has resonated with audiences and critics alike.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Having served as Ambassador to Washington D.C., Beijing, Singapore, and the Czech republic, Jaishankar enjoys a huge comparative advantage over his global peers, because of his familiarity with the machine and machinations of modern diplomacy.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Kyiv said Moscow was sending Russian troops there to help pro-Russian separatists, but the Kremlin denied the accusations, insisting that Kyiv conduct direct negotiations with the breakaway republics there, and in another eastern region, Luhansk.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to theocracy
Cite this Entry
“Theocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theocracy. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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