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
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Recent Examples of dictate
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
26 June 2026
But the state doesn’t dictate how irrigation districts use those incentives.
—
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
Erin La Rosa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Now, agencies must weigh whether to adhere to federal dictates or comply with state transparency rules, with some directing records custodians and media spokespersons to acknowledge public records requests but not fulfill them unless ICE grants approval, records show.
—
Monique O. Madan,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Verb
My mood might dictate a mellow classical or a nostalgic rock n’ roll journey.
—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
26 June 2026
But the state doesn’t dictate how irrigation districts use those incentives.
—
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
Noun
As fake dating logic dictates, proximity (and, blessedly, only one bed) leads to very real feelings.
—
Erin La Rosa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Now, agencies must weigh whether to adhere to federal dictates or comply with state transparency rules, with some directing records custodians and media spokespersons to acknowledge public records requests but not fulfill them unless ICE grants approval, records show.
—
Monique O. Madan,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
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That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.
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Americans across the nation are being asked (or ordered) to conserve water, thanks to widespread drought made even worse by a punishing heat wave.
Noun
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Recent policies that State Shield has supported include a Tennessee bill requiring the state board of education to adopt age-appropriate instruction related to communism and a Louisiana resolution encouraging economic ties with Taiwan.
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Plants need a good root system to hold onto water, and post-establishment watering instructions are important to follow.
Verb
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If travel or study calls, sketch the first steps and request time to explore them.
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Residents also are requested to limit their consumption to 65 gallons per person per day.
Noun
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Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.
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The memorandum includes a pledge by Iran to never purchase or construct nuclear weapons — a vow the Islamic Republic has made multiple times before, including by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in a religious edict issued by the late supreme leader and in the Obama-era nuclear accord.
Verb
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When asked about his All-Star nod over the weekend, Joe Ryan focused on his team’s offense and the upcoming schedule instead of himself.
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Darnell didn’t have an answer when asked if Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell will play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday in the final game of the California Classic.
Noun
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Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.
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The 2026 Honor Marching Band and Color Guard, under the direction of Boise State professor Phil Hartman, filled the air with festive tunes in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Verb
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Afterward, competitors often deal with bloating, nausea, and dehydration, requiring hours or even days to recover.
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Finished over live heat for caramelization, the ribs develop a sticky, smoky crust without requiring a smoker.
Noun
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The president signed his directive aiming to restrict birthright citizenship on his first day back in the White House as part of a sweeping crackdown on immigration.
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The army chief said that in addition to the Daily Monitor, his closure directive also targeted local broadcaster NTV, also part of Nation Media Group.
Cite this Entry
“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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