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

The son of Iran’s slain theocratic leader is a top contender to replace his father to steer the embattled Islamic Republic in its worst conflict in decades, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Iran's theocratic system has been in place since the 1979 revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini that ousted the largely pro-Western shah.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 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

This means defending the university not as a corporate entity or site of theocratic indoctrination but as a democratic commons.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025

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