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

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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

But plenty of factors dictate draft order, with the bonus pool system also affecting team strategy. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Much of the season’s forward momentum is dictated by the KGB’s Colonel Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin), responsible for surveilling all employees at Star City, and her monstrous fealty to the state felt pretty one-note. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Noun

Central Florida officials are still pushing back against the state’s pro-profiteering dictates, and defending local initiatives like urban growth boundaries. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026 As fake dating logic dictates, proximity (and, blessedly, only one bed) leads to very real feelings. — Erin La Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dictate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate

Verb

That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Americans across the nation are being asked (or ordered) to conserve water, thanks to widespread drought made even worse by a punishing heat wave.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of order

Noun

The files included instructions for how to make the S-300 missile system, a centerpiece of Russia’s air defenses inherited from the Soviet Union.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
The moment your environment shifts, with a new product category, a new flavor of spam review or a new way users try to game the system, the instructions need another pass.

— Kayode Faturoti, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of instruction

Verb

Knapp emphasized that the department would never contact residents to request bank information, PIN numbers or ask individuals to transfer money between accounts.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Telemundo Noticias requested comments from ICE and Core Civic, the company that manages California City, but did not receive a response.

— Albinson Linares, NBC news, 18 July 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

When asked about his All-Star nod over the weekend, Joe Ryan focused on his team’s offense and the upcoming schedule instead of himself.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Darnell didn’t have an answer when asked if Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell will play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday in the final game of the California Classic.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of ask

Noun

In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
All lanes of the Long Island Expressway at 188th Street were blocked in both directions due to flooding for a couple of hours in the early afternoon before reopening, according to the New York City Police Department.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of direction

Verb

But using open source models does often require more technical expertise on the part of the companies deploying them.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 July 2026
The new law also now requires any presumptive large-scale data center to receive a public hearing from its local water management district before the district can issue a water use permit.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of require

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dicta

dictate

dictated

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“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dictate

verb

noun

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