deep statenoun [ C usually singular ]
/ˌdiːp ˈsteɪt//ˌdiːp ˈsteɪt/organizations such as military, police, or political groups that are said to work secretly in order to protect particular interests and to rule a country without being elected:
The idea that there is a deep state governing behind the scenes is dismissed by some as a conspiracy theory.
More examples
- The so-called deep state, made up of ruling elites from the military, judicial branch, business and media, has long wielded tremendous power behind the scenes.
- The subject of his book is the so-called "deep state" that allegedly operates behind the country's democracy.
- The term "deep state" gained popularity in some circles during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election in opposition to mainstream Republican and Democratic candidates.
- He writes that the deep state draws power from the national security and intelligence communities.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ruling & governing
- absolute
- administration
- affairs of state
- ascend
- ascend the throne idiom
- Comintern
- corridor
- government-owned
- government-sponsored
- governmental
- hung parliament
- incumbency
- officially
- oppressive
- reign
- repress
- repression
- repressive
- sovereignty
- statecraft
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
International relations: spying and espionage