theocratic

American

[thee-uh-krat-ik] / ˌθi əˈkræt ɪk /

Rarely theocratical

adjective

having to do with theocracy, a form of government based on a specific religion or deity.

If government and religion are not actively kept separate, it follows that the government is theocratic to a degree.

Other Word Forms

nontheocratic adjective
nontheocratical adjective
nontheocratically adverb
theocratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of theocratic

First recorded in 1685–95; from Greek theokrat(ía) ( theocracy ( def. ) ) + -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Historically, Iran’s 1979 revolution transformed it from a U.S.-aligned monarchy to an adversarial theocratic state — a legacy that shapes today’s fears about protracted conflict and regional destabilization.

From Salon

It’s true that no one can know what would happen if the theocratic regime led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei collapses.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the repression had an initial chilling effect on the demonstrations, it also gave Iranians another reason to oppose their theocratic rulers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The repression had a chilling effect on the demonstrations, but also gave Iranians another reason to oppose their theocratic rulers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although many Iranian immigrants hope the theocratic regime in Iran will be toppled, they fear for loved ones left behind, and said they preferred to not be in the public eye.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023