dictate to
phrasal verb
dictated to; dictating to; dictates to
: to give orders to (someone)
—usually used as (be) dictated to
I resent being dictated to by someone with half my experience.
Examples of dictate to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an apology letter dictated to the court by his lawyer, Jenkins said speaking to children is the most fulfilling part of his life now.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
This is the federal government working with, not dictating to, our states.
—Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Risks of politicizing the Fed That would be especially true if the next Fed chair were to immediately follow the president’s dictate to cut rates.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 11 July 2025
In less than 100 days, Trump did all the above while allowing billionaire Elon Musk to dictate to him what federal programs, such as Social Security and Medicaid, should be pared back, thereby threatening the livelihood and health care of millions of Americans.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Fifth-floor dictates to the council from a mayor as unpopular as Johnson merely poison the well the next time the administration needs council approval.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Companies that run pilot programs and adjust based on feedback create environments where employees feel involved, not dictated to.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The Philippines can’t dictate to the ICC when to issue a warrant, or to whom.
—Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Focus on your own efforts to organize your surroundings and don’t dictate to others.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
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Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
This is the federal government working with, not dictating to, our states.
—Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Risks of politicizing the Fed That would be especially true if the next Fed chair were to immediately follow the president’s dictate to cut rates.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 11 July 2025
In less than 100 days, Trump did all the above while allowing billionaire Elon Musk to dictate to him what federal programs, such as Social Security and Medicaid, should be pared back, thereby threatening the livelihood and health care of millions of Americans.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Fifth-floor dictates to the council from a mayor as unpopular as Johnson merely poison the well the next time the administration needs council approval.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Companies that run pilot programs and adjust based on feedback create environments where employees feel involved, not dictated to.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The Philippines can’t dictate to the ICC when to issue a warrant, or to whom.
—Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Focus on your own efforts to organize your surroundings and don’t dictate to others.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictate to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictate%20to. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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