as in to order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority
dictated that the terms of surrender be negotiated by his senior staff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in order
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of dictate
Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
The question of whether Congress can, in fact, dictate the transfer of Discovery — or any of the Smithsonian's artifacts — is a murky one, legally speaking.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 July 2025
Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere for its Kroos/Modric replacement
As that possible free switch is still some four years away, however, Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere for a Kroos/Modric replacement that is able to sit at the base of midfield and cooly dictate play.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Verb
In Kentucky, state law allows cities and counties to enact zoning regulations specifying how land is and is not to be used and dictate dimensions and other characteristics of structures, among other rules.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
The question of whether Congress can, in fact, dictate the transfer of Discovery — or any of the Smithsonian's artifacts — is a murky one, legally speaking.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 July 2025
Noun
This is a drastic escalation and dangerous new front in Trump’s authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate, and impeach judges who won’t follow his dictates.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere for its Kroos/Modric replacement
As that possible free switch is still some four years away, however, Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere for a Kroos/Modric replacement that is able to sit at the base of midfield and cooly dictate play.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
-
After being found not guilty, a judge ordered him committed to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline for a period of at most 60 days.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
-
He was sentenced to three years of supervised release, including one year of house arrest and ordered to pay around $800,00 in restitution, court records show.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Opt-in systems are most effective when paired with instruction about disasters and how to respond to warnings, Sellnow said, making education a crucial responsibility of local governments.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
Ripa's follow-up instructions, however, sent him off the deep end.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Law enforcement determined the child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the sole reason for requesting an activation.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
-
Lawyers will also be able to object to the unsealing of filings and request redactions as documents are considered in tranches, newest to oldest, the judge added.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
You’re asked to enroll your Wi-Fi smart thermostat in a bring-your-own-thermostat program.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
Fastow started by going door to door to dozens of insurance brokers in San Francisco and asking them about their pain points and most time consuming tasks.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The new order replaces a previous edict handed down by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston last week.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 July 2025
-
What is your take on this situation? – Tired of It All Dear Tired: Your son’s edict about his ex’s name is too extreme.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Indiana government employees, for example, are required to avoid outside employment that would conflict with state property, time or information, or use their position in state government to secure privileges that wouldn’t be available to the average citizen.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
30 July 2025
-
Segura said the plan, as outlined by the TEA, requires the affected schools to have a principal with turnaround experience and teachers who meet certain performance requirements.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard closed at Loop 101 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale was scheduled to close in both directions at Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 9 p.m. July 25 to 5 a.m. July 28 for a widening project, according to ADOT.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
Cosmic rays bounce across the universe in all directions, meaning Earth is bombarded from all sides by trillions of them.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
These directives are in the spotlight after Paramount and Skydance committed to foregoing DEI programs several months back under a notoriously anti-diversity initiatives Donald Trump administration, and the decision was reiterated last week to the Federal Communications Commission.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
31 July 2025
-
While the agency's directive does not mention immigration enforcement as a reason for data collection, critics of the order have raised concerns that it could be used to facilitate deportations.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share