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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dictates
Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
The reason so many people feel off track when daylight savings time ends is because light has a profound effect on the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural 24-hour clock that dictates when one sleeps and wakes.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025
Therefore, fairness dictates that blue states take action and gerrymander to the greatest extent allowed under federal law to correct the unfair advantage taken by Republicans, thereby leveling the playing field.
—Marc Lampe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Royal styling dictates that former wives of peers can keep their courtesy title by placing their first name before it.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
When that happens, state law dictates that the commissioner must either close the campus or take over the district.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
No living being exists in a vacuum that dictates completely ideal circumstances.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The primary standard relating to battery storage is NFPA 855, which dictates how to safely design, install, and operate battery projects.
—Erin Smith, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Conventional wisdom dictates that the best way to stage a home is to depersonalize it.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Eyck Freymann, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
An invisible line between Austin and San Antonio dictates where childcare aid can be used.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Our federal government is coercing institutions to follow its dictates on student admissions, curriculum and programs.
—George R. Boggs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
At first, the doctor’s sympathies would be with the family, who seemed helpless given their lack of autonomy and the dictates of their circumstances.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
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
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
Verb
The 34-year-old democratic socialist is poised to take control of a 306,000-person municipal workforce in the global center of capitalism that also functions as a cultural hub that dictates trends around the world.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
The reason so many people feel off track when daylight savings time ends is because light has a profound effect on the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural 24-hour clock that dictates when one sleeps and wakes.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025
Therefore, fairness dictates that blue states take action and gerrymander to the greatest extent allowed under federal law to correct the unfair advantage taken by Republicans, thereby leveling the playing field.
—Marc Lampe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Royal styling dictates that former wives of peers can keep their courtesy title by placing their first name before it.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
When that happens, state law dictates that the commissioner must either close the campus or take over the district.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
No living being exists in a vacuum that dictates completely ideal circumstances.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The primary standard relating to battery storage is NFPA 855, which dictates how to safely design, install, and operate battery projects.
—Erin Smith, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Conventional wisdom dictates that the best way to stage a home is to depersonalize it.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
Smaller countries in the region, especially in Southeast Asia, would have to submit to Beijing’s dictates.
—Eyck Freymann, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
An invisible line between Austin and San Antonio dictates where childcare aid can be used.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Our federal government is coercing institutions to follow its dictates on student admissions, curriculum and programs.
—George R. Boggs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
At first, the doctor’s sympathies would be with the family, who seemed helpless given their lack of autonomy and the dictates of their circumstances.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Everyone who orders one from October 27 to October 31 will also earn a $5 reward for their next visit.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The crew at Fireman Derek’s is cooking around the clock to pump out sweets for its three storefronts, plus Goldbelly orders that ship nationwide.—
Nila Do Simon,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The league then sends out direct notification letters to players, giving them the specific details of the fine and instructions on how to appeal.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
With all cleaning solutions for every area, Mock recommends reading the labels, instructions, and any warnings very thoroughly to ensure the proper use.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When your cousin requests a potato dish on the lighter side, this is the go-to recipe.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Trident routinely cooperates with any competent authority which requests information.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 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
-
The offer is available for dine-in only, and requires a valid ID.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Black walnuts have an extremely hard shell that requires special tools or a heavy hammer to crack.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This comes amid a series of directives from federal authorities demanding that the city halt its toll program for drivers entering Manhattan's central business district.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The statement also denies that any of the building closures or return-to-work directives related to the changes violate federal laws.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Surveys show that 99% of RTO mandates lower engagement, and nearly half increase attrition.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
While Kroger still accepts pennies, private businesses are not federally required to accept cash unless a state law mandates it.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The California Highway Patrol also temporarily shut down State Route 330 in both directions to secure the scene.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Follow the box directions to make this on the stove or in the microwave.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictates. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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