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
The team, led by the calm and collected Julius Pollard, are fantastic, fun, and, if nature dictates, will readily break into an impromptu turtle rescue mission—as happened on my recent trip. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 The Office of the State Auditor maintained that its interest in a Midland site was based on expanding geographic access to early voting, not dictating the county’s final plan. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Noun
The downturn bolsters the longstanding theory that the Bitcoin market follows the dictates of US election cycles. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 June 2026 And Algorithmic Transparency To balance rapid technological growth with core values, leaders should implement rigorous ethical guardrails that ensure AI integration serves the mission rather than just the dictates of high-tech donors. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 May 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
  • Rhaenyra keeps him chained, orders him to stay in the Red Keep with no way to blow off any steam.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • In a civil lawsuit against her medical providers, Clancy said a voice in her head ordered her to kill the children and herself.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Stop transmitting sleep devaluation, since the research indicates your team is reading your hours as instruction.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ryerson said the terrain itself can be as critical as instruction in helping beginners progress.
    — David Caraccio Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of instruction
Verb
  • Some immigrants requested more time before their next hearings, presenting evidence of having been defrauded by unscrupulous attorneys profiled in local news reports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The sheriff's office requested photos or videos that may show the child on a raft or boat with other children before the incident, as well as anyone who may have witnessed the child before she was pulled from the water.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • 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.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Definition of edict
Verb
  • Phillips may no longer be the focus of the ethics inquiry, but he could still be asked to answer questions or supply documents as the committee determines if Collins violated any laws or rules.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
  • Angelo mourned his brother, who was just 14 when he was fatally shot by Colt, and asked the court to sentence Colt to life in prison without parole.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of ask
Noun
  • The Azure DevOps case makes the same point from the other direction.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • When the containers opened, the butterflies scattered in every direction.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of direction
Verb
  • The courts found that changing the election date requires voter approval.
    — Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Most importantly, the bureau has been elevated in importance, and other ministries are now formally required to share their information.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of require
Noun
  • Two weeks earlier, Anthropic had to disable access to its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models to comply with an export control directive that was issued by the Commerce Department.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 20 July 2026
  • Sachin Sharma, a deputy commissioner of police, said Wangchuk’s hospitalization was carried out following medical advice and a court directive.
    — Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of directive

Browse Nearby Words

dicta
dictate
dictated
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of dictate for Spanish Speakers

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