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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Army regulation dictates that at least two media outlets should be selected to witness the execution. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 And the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating speech or prohibiting you from saying things. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

Starting next week, a 30-member task force will begin reviewing 24 proposals for a cut of Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax proceeds, which state law dictates must generally be used to promote tourism. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 The difference is the true deficit, as the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget analyst Gabe Petek sees it — and as common sense dictates. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dictate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate

Verb

All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
The court also barred him from the train operator for 12 months, ordered 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity days, and ordered him to pay £5,000 in compensation to Southeastern, £150 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of order

Noun

Those conversations range from lunches and athletics to classroom instruction and college opportunities, and several student recommendations have already led to changes this year.

— Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
The company’s security controls technically worked, as the agent faithfully carried out the fraudster’s instructions.

— Caryn Seidman Becker, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of instruction

Verb

No payment is requested or exchanged at any point during the selection, evaluation or ranking process; inclusion is based solely on the methodology.

— Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Others, like Ashra, are requested in advance for Shirodhara therapy, while many guests book Bernie for acupuncture and cupping.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

The edict is to transform the operating model when the market fundamentally shifts so the company can thrive in a changing environment.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of edict

Verb

The statement, which named neither Hur nor anyone else, accepted that every film attracts harsh reviews along with praise, and asked who could draw an exact line between fair and excessive criticism.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Last month, Cate Blanchett, from the London stage of National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre after the curtain call of Electra/Persona, asked fans to put away their cellphones.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of ask

Noun

Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Also back here is a dual-pattern power supply mount with two captive screws that serve one of the two supported mounting directions.

— Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of direction

Verb

The city’s postcard sights and destination-worthy dining spots require at least a 20-minute taxi drive or a hop on The Siam’s boat, which can drop you off at most piers along the river.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Twenty-three states have no rating from the big agencies at all, which locks them out of mandates that require one.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of require

Noun

The mayor also signed an executive directive that requires that city law enforcement personnel use their body worn cameras to record federal immigration enforcement actions.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Individual campuses in the CSU and UC can create their own policies in addition to systemwide directives.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of directive

Browse Nearby Words

dicta

dictate

dictated

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Style

“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dictate

verb

noun

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