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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
The people-first approach is maintained through and through, as the goal from day one has been to pay producers what’s warranted, not dictated by the commodities market.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
This will not only strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in life sciences but also ensure that patients across the country can benefit from the best innovations at the pace they are needed – rather than at the pace bureaucracy dictates.
—Kath MacKay, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Verb
Manes’ defenders pointed out she had been cleared by the internal inquiry and was implementing a policy dictated from Washington.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
The people-first approach is maintained through and through, as the goal from day one has been to pay producers what’s warranted, not dictated by the commodities market.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
The directors were given a handful of dictates.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
This will not only strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in life sciences but also ensure that patients across the country can benefit from the best innovations at the pace they are needed – rather than at the pace bureaucracy dictates.
—Kath MacKay, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
-
After Bukele asked for the contractor’s removal, Johnson ordered an investigation by embassy security officials.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
-
African telecom companies are often at the mercy of government agencies that order the shutdowns, but pressure from the international community could increase accountability and compel the companies to deny unlawful or arbitrary shutdown orders, the researchers argued.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That meant Vince and Ashley would face off in part 2, a contest that would end in an explosive outburst after Vince did not properly read the instructions.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Where rookie pilots panicked in battle, Gabreski functioned like a robot, dispassionately following the instructions laid out in his military flight manuals.—
Angus Fletcher,
Big Think,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The company contacted the Sheriff’s Office and Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requesting the money be returned, but the money has not been returned, according to the complaint.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Tennessean requested additional records to learn how many of those students are enrolled at each school, along with more detailed demographic information on the students.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But when officers stand in the road, Dutch Bros customers stop and ask them questions.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
She was asked to write about her devotion to Jesus, and her works were published after her death.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The edict also created mass confusion and even panic among current H-1B holders and employers, thanks to conflicting statements from the White House.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The edict is also risky, potentially giving viewers the sense that Brennan is less able to question or challenge her guests — one of the main elements of TV’s Sunday political shows that bring viewers to them in the first place.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For example, Betterment doesn't require clients to maintain a minimum investment account balance, but there is a ACH deposit minimum of $10.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Since September 2024, a new federal law requires mammogram reports to state whether breast tissue is dense, and to mention the possibility of additional imaging.—
Dr. Megha Gupta,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While the New York Times has significantly cut back on its unsigned editorial board pieces, the Post appears to be moving in the opposite direction.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Researchers found that the receivers of the dance weren’t just following the direction and distance indicated by the waggle dance.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Its four main science directives, for decades, have brought to us a superior understanding of Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics than ever before.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Rules of engagement are directives governing how and when force can be used by the military.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share