DICTATE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

dictate 1 of 2

verb

ˈdik-ˌtāt

Definition of dictate

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dictate

2 of 2

noun

ˈdik-ˌtāt

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

Verb

Chalking, per university rules that dictate when, where and how students can protest, is not allowed on walls and vertical surfaces. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026 But Cavallari wasn't about to let her bitter family feud dictate her children's relationship with their grandfather. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

The individual sensibilities of people who directed them were subordinated to dictates of the franchise. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 But rather than riding on the top of the mikoshi, or portable Shinto shrine, as tradition dictates, the heavily pregnant Kawata walked behind it. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dictate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate

Verb

Mountbatten-Windsor was also ordered to move out of the Royal Lodge, his longtime home in parkland near Windsor Castle.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
Israel ordered residents to evacuate the gunmen's neighborhood and closed roads into and out of Hebron.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of order

Noun

The researchers modified a capsid protein called pVIII, attaching cancer antigens to its surface by incorporating the corresponding genetic instructions into the virus.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
The Photo Studio, led by a professional photographer, also offers classes and instruction on how to snap the perfect wildlife and iceberg pictures.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of instruction

Verb

Higby did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment and did not have an attorney in court records.

— Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Hainsworth was fired in January of 2023 and alleged in the same lawsuit that he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for reporting workplace safety hazards and requesting accommodations for injuries sustained on the job.

— Alessandra Schade, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

Eventually, an edict from the top came that existing attorneys should not anticipate additions to the court teams, according to one source.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
In the years that followed, predatory land purchases, restrictive edicts, and forced displacement further diminished their ranks.

— Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of edict

Verb

The person asked a mutual contact to warn Rosman, according to three people familiar with that exchange.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Attendees asked engineers to provide preliminary cost estimates for street lighting running from the stadium connection north to Swepco Road.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of ask

Verb

Unmanned vessels could potentially carry additional missile capacity without requiring the same onboard crew arrangements as conventional warships.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Florida law requires that a judge be admitted to the Florida Bar for at least five years before taking office (with no requirement for actual experience, just the fact of possessing a law license).

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of require

Noun

State agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol have aggressively pursued ICE directives.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu and his military chief of staff have had a confrontation over a political directive related to Iran shortly before Israel’s close election, a local broadcaster reported Sunday night.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of directive

Browse Nearby Words

dicta

dictate

dictated

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of dictate

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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