dictates 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of dictate
as in orders
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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dictates

2 of 2

noun

plural of dictate

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 dictates
Verb
Challenges The dilution problem dictates the scale. Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025 Pittman’s record since the start of the 2021 season (29-27) dictates the buyout total listed in his contract. Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2025 The email came despite the fact that Harris' term was not set to expire until 2028, and despite a federal law that dictates board members can only be fired for cause, such as inefficiency, malfeasance or neglect of duty. Carrie Johnson, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025 In business, standard practice dictates that allowances be made for items outside of the operating budget. Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025 The statute of limitations dictates the window during which a suspect can be charged with a crime. Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025 Interestingly, custom dictates that only beer brewed in the six Munich breweries may be served during Oktoberfest. Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 This dictates the color used for things like menu selections and buttons in various apps. ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025 Trump apparently would have that be the labor market, which lower rates could improve; data (and perhaps Chair Jerome Powell) dictates that their master should be inflation, for which a higher or stagnant rate would serve. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
Devotees give their lives over to the dictates of their AI companions, and some even profess undying love to their digital counterparts, relationships that have led to tragedy. Book Marks october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025 As the trend dictates, bronze and smoky brown tones are blended onto the eyes, achieving a blurred effect that subtly highlights the glow. María Munsuri, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2025 The White House dictates; Puerto Rico enforces. Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 16 Sep. 2025 The directors were given a handful of dictates. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025 This will not only strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in life sciences but also ensure that patients across the country can benefit from the best innovations at the pace they are needed – rather than at the pace bureaucracy dictates. Kath MacKay, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 The department has stressed its policy dictates that officers do not ask people about their immigration status, and describes immigration enforcement as a federal responsibility. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictates
Verb
  • When the King orders Ji-yeon to be the royal cook, the two begin to grow closer.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Miami cancels school, orders state of emergency About 10 minutes to the west, the community of Miami was also recovering from intense flooding.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There are also instructions for plenty of creepy cocktails and even craft projects for constructing kooky table decor to match.
    Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The pamphlet offered instructions for how to acoustically recognize an incoming threat and how to determine whether the source is machine-gun fire, artillery fire, rocket launchers, or an air raid.
    Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Continue reading … BACKUP CALL – Louisiana governor requests 1,000 National Guard troops to fight violent crime wave across state.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Kinso detects when someone requests or needs something and automatically proposes connectors within the user’s network, even drafting introductions.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ever since, as the Taliban returned to power, once again issuing edicts to suppress women and girls, the clinic and its 34-year-old midwife Atifa have continued to provide a lifeline for mothers and young children.
    Elise Blanchard, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
  • One of the fundamental edicts of the [original Naked Gun creators] Zucker Brothers was you played against the comedy.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Undoubtedly, there are players with potential and talent at Tuchel’s disposal, but very little valuable experience in a position that requires more maturity and discipline.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Treatment usually requires a layered approach.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Even with these clear directives, eerie events abound, which the sunbae relays to the narrator.
    Diana Arterian October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Its four main science directives, for decades, have brought to us a superior understanding of Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics than ever before.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The state mandates certain ratios of kids to teachers depending on age.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The agreement also mandates training for campus employees, including police officers and discrimination investigators, and campus climate surveys.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The dramatic crash, which sent three people to the hospital in critical condition, initially halted traffic in both directions of the highway.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Photos from traffic cameras show heavy congestion in both directions as a result of the crash.
    Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dictates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictates. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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