ayatollah
noun
aya·tol·lah
ˌī-ə-ˈtō-lə 
-ˈtä-
-ˈtä-
-ˈtə-,
ˈī-ə-ˌtō-,
-ˌtä-,
-ˌtə-
: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims
—used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imam
Examples of ayatollah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The ayatollahs have deprived the country of a prosperous civil society, channelling resources instead into militarism and messianic fantasy.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
But given the threat faced by the country, the ayatollah wants to ensure a swift transition and to preserve his legacy, the newspaper reported.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
In 1979, a revolution established an Islamic Republic, grounded in strict Muslim religious ideology, led by a religious ayatollah.
—Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
Its fight is with the regime, not with the Iranian people, who have been oppressed by the ayatollahs for almost half a century.
—Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
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David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
But given the threat faced by the country, the ayatollah wants to ensure a swift transition and to preserve his legacy, the newspaper reported.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
In 1979, a revolution established an Islamic Republic, grounded in strict Muslim religious ideology, led by a religious ayatollah.
—Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
Its fight is with the regime, not with the Iranian people, who have been oppressed by the ayatollahs for almost half a century.
—Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ayatollah
Cite this Entry
“Ayatollah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ayatollah. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
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