theocratic

[ thee-uh-krat-ik ]

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.

Other Words From

• the·o·crat·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·the·o·crat·ic adjective
• non·the·o·crat·i·cal adjective
• non·the·o·crat·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of theocratic¹

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

Example Sentences

Egyptian-backed young officers in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, staged a coup in 1962 against a hidebound theocratic leader who had long kept the country in a state of isolation.

From Salon

Led by the theocratic regime in Iran, predominantly Muslim nations such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia largely seem to consider the Zionist project and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in religious terms.

From Salon

Dominionism: The theocratic idea that Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions.

From Salon

Officials told us that once fringe, sometimes criminal groups of settlers bent on pursuing a theocratic state have been allowed for decades to operate with few restraints.

From New York Times

Those calling for radical reforms or for abandoning Iran’s theocratic system were also banned or didn’t bother to register as candidates.

From Seattle Times