dictated

past tense of dictate
as in ordered
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

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 dictated Working with a large format camera that dictated the pace of each shoot, Verbeeck introduced herself to potential sitters with open calls to schools, clubs, youth groups and local organizers. — Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 Food and drink Meals are all-inclusive, communal, and dictated by what the team pulls from the water and garden that morning. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026 Meteorological seasons are dictated by the Earth's temperatures. — Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Sep. 2026 Do not live a life that is dictated by algorithms to keep your attention. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 And a lot of times that is dictated by the defense, the enemy that does have a choice in the matter. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 Diesel long dictated the roads, but electric heavy transport is taking charge. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026 Days during the golden era, when Houston dictated a game’s tenor and pace, are long gone, but the same standards remain regardless of the roster. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 Garfield, sensitive and earthy, is our bellwether as the events descend into bloody carnage dictated by muddled agendas. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictated
Verb
  • But the Planning Commission, whose five members are appointed by San Bernardino County supervisors, ordered the geologist to revise his findings and granted the vested rights to the quarry.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Sanderson was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty in Queens Criminal Court Thursday, records show.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In proceedings earlier this month, Faxon requested that the state grant the man access to internal documents which state officials maintained were confidential and not subject to disclosure.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In nearly a third of petitions, beneficiaries requested a detailed accounting of the trust’s finances, which Horton said reflects beneficiaries who suspected their trustees were mismanaging funds or ripping them off.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Clancy's attorneys have asked the judge to dismiss the criminal case.
    — MICHAEL CASEY, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Residents in the area are also being asked not to leave pet food outdoors or approach the animal to take photos.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dictated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictated. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster