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

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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 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 While much of the NFL’s direct income is shared evenly with its players as dictated by their collective bargaining agreement, the dividends and distributions from 32 Equity investments flow outside the cap. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictated
Verb
  • On Thursday, the judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK, which has led several campaigns against the use of bearskins, said Freedom of Information data showed that 22 bearskin caps were ordered in 2024 and 96 in 2025.
    — James Frater, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • School District 57 in Mount Prospect requested $20 million and got back just shy of $6 million.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Justice Department had sought no fewer than 80 years in prison, while Alsheikh requested five years, citing his age and his chronic medical conditions.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Jones downplayed the significance of Hamilton's familiarity with Kennesaw State's coaching staff when asked on Tuesday.
    — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The costs of keeping the plant going have recently become clear – as has who might be asked to foot the bill.
    — Akshaya Jha, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dictated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictated. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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