mullah

noun

mul·​lah ˈmə-lə How to pronounce mullah (audio) ˈmu̇- How to pronounce mullah (audio)
: a Muslim and especially a religious scholar or cleric who has studied Islamic law and doctrine
—often used as an honorific title
mullahism
ˈmə-lə-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce mullah (audio)
ˈmu̇-
noun

Examples of mullah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The mullahs are very good at controlling everything around them. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026 In Iran, no one except the remnants of the mullahs and the Shah has wanted or wants war. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026 The mullahs allowed the Iran-Iraq war to go on for years, leaving hundreds of thousands dead. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026 The mullahs allowed the Iran-Iraq war to go on for years, leaving hundreds of thousands dead. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mullah

Word History

Etymology

Turkish molla & Persian & Urdu mulla, from Arabic mawlā

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mullah was in 1613

Rhymes for mullah

See All Rhymes for mullah

Browse Nearby Words

mullagatawny
mullah
mullar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mullah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullah. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mullah

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mullah

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