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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in instructions
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
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Recent Examples of dictates
Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
By simulating a laser striking an aluminum target, researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) identified a definitive laser intensity threshold that dictates this behavior.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026
First, proper English grammar (widely ignored nowadays) dictates that sentences should never end in a preposition.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Your local climate dictates specific maintenance needs, such as checking for rust in coastal areas or rubber decay in hot regions.
—Danny Smith, USA Today, 4 June 2026
While federal law dictates up to 20 years in prison or assaulting pilots or flight attendants, there is no nationwide standard for public transit operators.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Given that Claude’s constitution dictates that Claude err on the side of corrigibility, the answer is no.
—Ted Chiang, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Louisville police policy dictates that if a weapon is present, mental health professionals cannot respond to the calls.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
Like many studios, A24 tends to follow a pattern that dictates when their theatrical releases are released on digital streaming via premium video on demand.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 June 2026
Prioritize Human Oversight And Algorithmic Transparency To balance rapid technological growth with core values, leaders should implement rigorous ethical guardrails that ensure AI integration serves the mission rather than just the dictates of high-tech donors.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Central Florida officials are still pushing back against the state’s pro-profiteering dictates, and defending local initiatives like urban growth boundaries.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
As fake dating logic dictates, proximity (and, blessedly, only one bed) leads to very real feelings.
—Erin La Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Now, agencies must weigh whether to adhere to federal dictates or comply with state transparency rules, with some directing records custodians and media spokespersons to acknowledge public records requests but not fulfill them unless ICE grants approval, records show.
—Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Its core principle is that when convenience dictates or necessity requires, a country must allow the people, goods and vessels of other nations to pass through its territory for a journey that begins and ends elsewhere.
—Vivek Krishnamurthy, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Here’s what the rulebook dictates… and what Wellens actually said.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Regulatory prescription shapes the work itself—banking’s SR 11-7 dictates model risk management in detail, while retail has almost no sector-specific AI regulation.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Verb
Common sense dictates hanging wall cabinets first.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
By simulating a laser striking an aluminum target, researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) identified a definitive laser intensity threshold that dictates this behavior.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026
First, proper English grammar (widely ignored nowadays) dictates that sentences should never end in a preposition.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Your local climate dictates specific maintenance needs, such as checking for rust in coastal areas or rubber decay in hot regions.
—Danny Smith, USA Today, 4 June 2026
While federal law dictates up to 20 years in prison or assaulting pilots or flight attendants, there is no nationwide standard for public transit operators.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Given that Claude’s constitution dictates that Claude err on the side of corrigibility, the answer is no.
—Ted Chiang, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Louisville police policy dictates that if a weapon is present, mental health professionals cannot respond to the calls.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
Like many studios, A24 tends to follow a pattern that dictates when their theatrical releases are released on digital streaming via premium video on demand.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
The downturn bolsters the longstanding theory that the Bitcoin market follows the dictates of US election cycles.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 June 2026
Prioritize Human Oversight And Algorithmic Transparency To balance rapid technological growth with core values, leaders should implement rigorous ethical guardrails that ensure AI integration serves the mission rather than just the dictates of high-tech donors.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Central Florida officials are still pushing back against the state’s pro-profiteering dictates, and defending local initiatives like urban growth boundaries.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
As fake dating logic dictates, proximity (and, blessedly, only one bed) leads to very real feelings.
—Erin La Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Now, agencies must weigh whether to adhere to federal dictates or comply with state transparency rules, with some directing records custodians and media spokespersons to acknowledge public records requests but not fulfill them unless ICE grants approval, records show.
—Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Its core principle is that when convenience dictates or necessity requires, a country must allow the people, goods and vessels of other nations to pass through its territory for a journey that begins and ends elsewhere.
—Vivek Krishnamurthy, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Here’s what the rulebook dictates… and what Wellens actually said.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Regulatory prescription shapes the work itself—banking’s SR 11-7 dictates model risk management in detail, while retail has almost no sector-specific AI regulation.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictates
Verb
-
So the Devil orders the father to cut off his daughter’s offending hands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
If the other person orders you to bring them a lemonade, don’t do it.—
Attia Qureshi,
Time,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Bocce will be offering takeaway, both in the form of prepared food and things customers can cook at home, like pasta and sauces that come with instructions.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
The Missouri Health Department also recommends treating clothes, boots and outdoors gear with permethrin per label instructions.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
When a party requests that a proceeding be sealed, a judge will often solicit input from the other side and allow third parties, such as the public and news media, to also provide input.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
The order — which requests AI developers' participation on a voluntary basis — comes as AI companies race to roll out new models and, in some cases, enter the public market.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
My worry is edicts from Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While many edicts are necessary to protect public safety, many more are redundant, wasteful and anti-competitive, piling on unnecessary costs and stymieing innovation.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The catch is that all of this requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, specifically an A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
In fact, keeping denim looking its best requires not washing them very often at all.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
But Claude took some of the new directives a bit too seriously; suddenly, every fake passage was filled with characters hopping on a horse, or delivering an important package, or running.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
-
Secretaries were also tasked with identifying repeat audit findings where additional resources would be needed to solve issues, among other directives from the governor.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Assembly Bill 481 mandates police agencies develop detailed use policies for military-grade equipment and submit annual reports covering inventory, usage, purchases and public complaints.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
Senate Bill 53 mandates transparency and safety disclosures for high-capacity models.—
Hansa Bhargava,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Pedestrians surged in all directions along the sidewalks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Some of the resort offerings feel a little forced (or like an episode of White Lotus), especially the Haab dinner experience when locals dress up in traditional Maya garb and put on a performance to honor the four cardinal directions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictates. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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