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
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Recent Examples of dictate
Bianca Blomquist, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
But there had always been a belief that the actions of the Department of Justice, especially the criminal-enforcement actions, were not dictated for political reasons by the president.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Magritte is an artist who comes with a host of associated personal symbols—all those apples, bowler hats, mirrors, and trains—which interact according to the dictates of dream logic.
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Verb
Meanwhile, hospitals across the state have continued to consolidate and swallow up local providers, reducing competition and giving large systems unchecked power to dictate prices.
—Bianca Blomquist, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
But there had always been a belief that the actions of the Department of Justice, especially the criminal-enforcement actions, were not dictated for political reasons by the president.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Institute for Postnatural Studies does not aim to conform to the dictates of traditional academia, as its name might imply.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Magritte is an artist who comes with a host of associated personal symbols—all those apples, bowler hats, mirrors, and trains—which interact according to the dictates of dream logic.
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
-
The resort hosts an ample breakfast buffet each morning at EsQuilina, the main restaurant, which often turns out to be a better deal than ordering à la carte.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Satisfied with medical procedures already in place, NASA ordered no extra checkups for the crew ahead of liftoff and no new diagnostic equipment was packed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Beerman will also offer replacement parts and instructions directly for repair if the user doesn’t want to send back the camera for repair and is able to do it themself.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The retrial instructions to the jury indicate that Alkayyali also testified at the retrial.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While food options tend to cater for more refined taste buds, staff are committed to sourcing anything younger guests may request.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This note, the latest in a series, demanded the money in a cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, which the previous notes had requested, according to the outlet.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kidd was noncommittal when asked if Flagg will play at all on Dallas’ upcoming three-game road trip, which has stops in Minnesota, Indiana and Brooklyn.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Through a stellar debut season, freshman Jazzy Davidson has done everything for USC that was asked of her.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Trump edicts weigh on stocks this week Geopolitical risks have weighed on investor sentiment this week.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Identification requires letting Chinese cultural logic influence the structure of a campaign — not just its visuals or celebrity cast.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Whatever chemistry is required for incredible players to band together existed immediately, and the remaining outfield players worked hard to support them, defend and create chances to put the ball in behind opponents on counterattacks.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rhoades said Freret is moving in the same direction.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Only three of them consistently performed on record and in concert, but at least a dozen more were honorary members who attended formal band meetings and were granted as much say in its direction and philosophy as those who actually played the instruments.—
Andy Cush,
Pitchfork,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The estate said the sale is consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all estate proceeds to philanthropy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Connecticut Water customers will start seeing a new surcharge on their bills this year that stems from a federal directive for water utilities to build out infrastructure to monitor PFAS, or forever chemicals, in drinking water, which have been linked to cancer and other health issues,.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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