as in controlling
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as in ordering
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
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Recent Examples of dictating
Paul Taylor, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The 23-year-old forward was the one with the ball in his hands, dictating actions, making decisions.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Proponents describe the measure as preventing states from dictating farming practices beyond their borders.
—John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Plaintiffs' lawyers say the latest policy also imposes unprecedented rules dictating when reporters can offer anonymity to sources.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Huskies thrive in structured offensive sets while applying pressure defensively across multiple positions, often dictating games with rebounding and interior toughness.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
The Higgs is the cornerstone of our physics models, dictating the mass of all other particles.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Kalra’s bill would ban private equity firms and hedge funds from dictating case strategy after giving money to a law firm.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The Higgs is the cornerstone of our physics models, dictating the mass of all other particles.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Świątek entered the match with a 23-2 record in the California desert since 2022 and had been rolling in this tournament, dictating matches with ease.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
And these players were initially signed to help Forest become a side capable of retaining more possession and dictating games.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The 23-year-old forward was the one with the ball in his hands, dictating actions, making decisions.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Taylor Frankie Paul has filed a counter temporary restraining order against ex Dakota Mortensen — both of whom have accused each other of recent domestic violence — as a judge issued a temporary custody arrangement dictating how much time she’s allotted with their toddler son.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Proponents describe the measure as preventing states from dictating farming practices beyond their borders.
—John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Plaintiffs' lawyers say the latest policy also imposes unprecedented rules dictating when reporters can offer anonymity to sources.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Huskies thrive in structured offensive sets while applying pressure defensively across multiple positions, often dictating games with rebounding and interior toughness.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
The Higgs is the cornerstone of our physics models, dictating the mass of all other particles.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Kalra’s bill would ban private equity firms and hedge funds from dictating case strategy after giving money to a law firm.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The Higgs is the cornerstone of our physics models, dictating the mass of all other particles.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Świątek entered the match with a 23-2 record in the California desert since 2022 and had been rolling in this tournament, dictating matches with ease.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
-
The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
New Delhi on Tuesday relaxed rules for investments from countries sharing a land border with India, allowing automatic approval for non-controlling ownership of up to 10%, subject to compliance requirements.—
Shruti Srivastava,
Bloomberg,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Contact retailers for questions about products before ordering.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Scully granted the petition on December 20, 2024, ordering Dick to stay a minimum of 100 yards away from Buckingham, his wife, his son, their homes, and their vehicles for five years, and barring her from contacting the Buckingham family in any way.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Raman had a commanding lead in a field of five major candidates, with 33% of voters supporting her, while Bass trailed at 17%, according to the poll by the Loyola Marymount University Center for the Study of Los Angeles.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
-
At 132 feet, the 40P is larger and more commanding, offering additional space and slightly flashier features.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the air traffic control recording, the pilot can be heard telling the controller a pregnant passenger has gone into labor and requesting medical personnel at the gate.—
Anselm Gibbs,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
American Airlines did not return a call to The Observer requesting more information.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tap the settings button at the bottom of the screen to enter any city, switch between imperial or metric units, or choose your preferred language.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Matsui was founded in 1726 in the hills overlooking the imperial palace and has been making small-batch sake by hand ever since.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Defense attorneys, who said Horner has autism spectrum disorder and various mental illnesses, are asking jurors to sentence Horner to life in prison without parole.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Long Beach Aquarium officials are asking the public to help raise funding for Meatloaf, a 200-pound sea turtle that was rescued from the San Gabriel River in January.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the sun and Jupiter clash, you’re cosmically protected, but arrogant behavior won’t get a pass.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Newsom has maintained his support for mandating state employees work four days of in-person, calling it a necessary way to increase collaboration and mentorship.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The battle over affordable housing runs deep in Colorado, with the state mandating higher density in recent years and, in turn, being sued by cities that claim the legislation treads on their home-rule authority.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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