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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of dictated
In a statement published to X by his office's official account, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday reiterated that the Gaza ceasefire deal dictated Hamas' return of all remaining hostages.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
But this is perhaps an artificial high tempo, dictated by an unreasonable number of substitutes.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Each fall, high-elevation Colorado ski areas compete for the first-to-open honor in what’s become a race dictated by weather and snowmaking conditions.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
The script came together in a matter of weeks, dictated heavily by the production realities of the project.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
The connection between fashion and music has always run deep — especially here in NYC, where artists have long dictated what’s next in style.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Buzz was the trader who wanted to do whatever the flow dictated.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
This assault threatens our ability to think critically, remember our past honestly, and imagine a future that is not dictated by the state.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
The crabs' migration is dictated by the moon and the tides, according to the park.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
But this is perhaps an artificial high tempo, dictated by an unreasonable number of substitutes.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Each fall, high-elevation Colorado ski areas compete for the first-to-open honor in what’s become a race dictated by weather and snowmaking conditions.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
The script came together in a matter of weeks, dictated heavily by the production realities of the project.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
The connection between fashion and music has always run deep — especially here in NYC, where artists have long dictated what’s next in style.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Buzz was the trader who wanted to do whatever the flow dictated.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
This assault threatens our ability to think critically, remember our past honestly, and imagine a future that is not dictated by the state.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
The crabs' migration is dictated by the moon and the tides, according to the park.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictated
Verb
-
Questions about education funding Amid the state’s revenue shortfall, Little in August ordered state agencies other than public schools to cut spending by 3%.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cashier Sandra Cornejo said the suspect ordered Oreo ice cream before pulling out a knife and demanding money.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After the couple handed Clarkson a paper with their vows and requested her to read it, the three-time Grammy Award winner joked that she wasn’t officially allowed to officiate.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Her mother requested ketamine treatment, explaining that infusions of the drug had helped Maya in the past; hospital staff reported Beata to the Department of Children and Families, and she was accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He was asked to be the signal-caller, and that responsibility seemed to hinder his ability to read and react.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
At just 18 months old, he was cast as baby Toby in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, after the filmmaker asked the Frouds, who were already working on the film, if their infant could step into the role.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictated. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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