theocratic

American  

[thee-uh-krat-ik] / ˌθi əˈkræt ɪk /

Rarely theocratical

adjective

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nontheocratic
  adjective
• nontheocratical
  adjective
• nontheocratically
  adverb
• theocratically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of theocratic

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

Explanation

Things that are theocratic are ruled by leaders who claim their authority comes from a god. Churches are typically theocratic organizations — and so are some governments. When a government is theocratic, you can also call it a theocracy. You might see some similarities between the words theocratic and democratic. Both are ways to rule or govern, from the Greek roots theo-, "God," and dēmos, "the people." In a democratic society, the people rule, and in a theocratic regime, God (or those claiming to speak for God) rules.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

theocratic

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 ● Feb. 28, 2026

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 ● Jan. 14, 2026

More than two weeks of protests initially sparked by economic grievances have turned into one of the biggest challenges yet to the theocratic system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

From Barron's ● Jan. 12, 2026

The intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned Friday the preservation of the country’s theocratic system is a red line and reserved the right to respond, according to the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026

Norte Chico chiefdoms were almost certainly theocratic, though not brutally so; leaders induced followers to obey by a combination of ideology, charisma, and skillfully timed positive reinforcement.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann