divine right

noun

: the right of a sovereign to rule as set forth by the theory of government that holds that a monarch receives the right to rule directly from God and not from the people

Examples of divine right in a Sentence

He ruled by divine right. My boss seems to think he has a divine right to order people around.
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.
Nor is he privileged by divine right, like a land-owning Englishman in 1813. Brittany Allen july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025 Our leader shall not be a king ruling by divine right, as that was decided on this day in Philadelphia 249 years ago, but one of the common folk elevated freely by fellow citizens. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025 Throughout that first treatise, Locke excoriated the divine right of kings. Time, 1 July 2025 Even with the royal family’s centuries-long association with divine rights and imperialism, Charles and his heir, Prince William, are known to respect their place in a constitutional monarchy. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for divine right

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of divine right was circa 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Divine right.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divine%20right. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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