DECREE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

decree 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈkrē

Definition of decree

as in edict

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the boss doesn't give out many decrees, but he does expect those that are issued to be fully obeyed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ruling

an order publicly issued by an authority a decree issued by the state's supreme court to the legislature

Synonyms & Similar Words

decree

2 of 2

verb

as in to order

to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the new supervisor decreed that thenceforth coffee breaks would have a 15-minute limit

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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 decree

Noun

Early Mormon teaching also interpreted plural marriage as fulfilling a divine decree to increase the population. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 Michel linked the lobbying contract and its timing to broader concerns about the government, including its refusal to rescind a controversial decree protecting senior government officials from prosecution in regular courts. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

Verb

That is what’s decreed by the Premier League, which reviews each incident and only wants players to be sent off if there is incontrovertible evidence that the referee had no choice. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Their forbidden love leads the Jade Emperor to decree their separation on opposite sides of the Milky Way. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decree

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decree

Noun

The edict is to transform the operating model when the market fundamentally shifts so the company can thrive in a changing environment.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of edict

Noun

The decision overturned a lower court’s January 2022 ruling in Abascal’s favor, according to local outlet El Confidencial.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
The high court affirmed that the Missouri congressional map passed in 2022, which gives Republicans a 6-2 advantage over Democrats, should be used for the November election in a per curiam ruling.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruling

Verb

Sanderson was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty in Queens Criminal Court Thursday, records show.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
Four people with knowledge of the matter, including a diplomatic source, told Reuters that the TPLF had ordered both companies to shut down the networks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of order

Noun

Each package contains cooking instructions such as cook time and preferred cooking method.

— Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
Public libraries offer free SHSAT books with instructions, explanations, and complete sample tests, along with free online tutoring.

— Wai Wah Chin, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of instruction

Noun

On the heels of that directive, the bureau issued new guidance that prohibited staff from granting requests for clothing accommodations for those inmates and barred the use of federal dollars for medical interventions.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Some have done so, the prosecutor explained, by slow-walking directives of dubious merit, such as orders to investigate voter fraud by noncitizens—a phenomenon that Trump has falsely claimed is rampant.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of directive

Noun

The prediction, which is based on Gartner surveys and interactions with clients, makes a distinction between AI that can support decision making through insights, for example, and AI that can automate the decision making.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Kemigisa said that Oyo left behind a young son whose identity would be unveiled at the right time, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Nyabongo and the decision of the Babiito to choose him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of decision

Browse Nearby Words

decreasingly

decree

decreed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Decree.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decree. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of decree

noun

verb

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