dictate 1 of 2

verb

ˈdik-ˌtāt How to pronounce dictate (audio)
Definition of dictatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dictate

2 of 2

noun

ˈdik-ˌtāt How to pronounce dictate (audio)
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

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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 dictate
Verb
Local wisdom dictates the best shop is the one closest to you, but here are eight greats, new and old. — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026 Trump has insisted the closure is necessary and dictated a date for it, the filing points out, without any proper board oversight. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 2 Nov. 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
  1. order
  2. instruction
  3. request
  4. edict
  5. ask
  6. direction
  7. require
  8. directive
Verb
  • Carter ordered an expedited hearing on the state’s and county’s motions to dismiss the case and the government’s motion for a preliminary injunction.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Rolón has ordered three criminal investigations into the Ueno Bank crisis, including claims involving Peña and other current and former government officials, the prosecutor's office said Thursday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Wish fulfillment, sure, but if the wishes came with an instruction manual.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Its title refers to a deep-cover agent left behind after a spy ring is busted, to bide their time and await instructions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of instruction
Verb
  • Kyle Murphy, who’s lived in Evergreen Park with his wife and child for the past two years, supported the Elementary District 124 referendum and a $115 million bond issue requested by Moraine Valley Community College.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Megan Katz, a librarian in West Hollywood who supported the registry and other antidiscrimination protections, requested a change in the new ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • But this exploitation of Catholic bishops who were praying for their president, not delivering papal edicts with political patinas, feels especially repulsive.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of edict
Verb
  • Arkansas' voters are asked to do this every few years, and this is another opportunity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The Hollywood Reporter asked Mark if Ehrlich was aware that his audio was still being captured.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of ask
Noun
  • In some applications, the process can also work in the opposite direction.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Politics is cyclical, and swing voters have proved consistently in recent years that their loyalties tend in no particular direction.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of direction
Verb
  • That required the ballots to be placed in emergency bags for later counting.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The church changed its child protection policies and since the 2005 case has required all incidents to be reported to law enforcement.
    — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of require
Noun
  • Trump should also be prepared to enforce that directive if the Bolsonaros violate it.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Every bounce of the ball, swish of the net, ref’s whistle and directive from the sideline reverberated through the building.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of directive

Browse Nearby Words

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dictate
dictated
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Cite this Entry

“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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