Synonyms of dictating

dictating 1 of 2

adjective

as in controlling

Related Words

• controlling
• commanding
• imperial
• arrogant
• regimental
• important
• arbitrary
• uppity
• superior
• domineering
• supercilious
• high-and-mighty
• autocratic
• tyrannical
• pretentious
• haughty
• assumptive
• dictatorial
• authoritarian
• disdainful
• overbearing
• presumptuous
• despotic
• bossy
• presuming
• high-hat
• proud
• lordly
• huffy
• overweening
• authoritative
• magisterial
• tyrannous
• lofty
• imperious
• toplofty
• uppish
• masterful
• peremptory
• assertive
• fastuous
• highfalutin
• high-handed
• aggressive
• directorial
• self-asserting
• imperative
• omnipotent
• narcissistic
• all-powerful
• conceited
• pompous
• almighty
• vain
• stern
• self-assertive
• firm

Dissimilar Words

• modest
• humble
• amenable
• meek
• obedient
• docile
• unassuming
• tractable
• passive
• indecisive
• compliant
• yielding
• submissive
• irresolute
• acquiescent
• resigned

dictating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dictate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ordering
• requesting
• asking
• mandating
• directing
• requiring
• decreeing
• commanding
• demanding
• calling for
• calling
• ordaining
• petitioning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• canceling
• rescinding
• countermanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dictating

Adjective

As well as his tempo-dictating actions on the ball, Rodri also tops the list for counter-pressing wins among all players in this World Cup. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 July 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

Straight legs, cigarette cuts, wide fits, and slim silhouettes are all in circulation at once—which means there’s no single dominant shape dictating the market. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

And the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating speech or prohibiting you from saying things. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026

Milwaukee tends to fluster opponents by dictating the action in a way no other offense does. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

This would ensure conferences, colleges and athletes are free to negotiate and enter into agreements that benefit everyone, without the heavy hand of government dictating what parties can offer or accept. — Sen. Rand Paul Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

But not all colleges or even high school teachers embraced the idea, in part because of concerns about a test dictating high school curricula. — Beth Kania-Gosche, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Carney told the European Parliament on Thursday that countries need enough economic strength to keep any one power from dictating their choices. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

California does not have a statewide mandate dictating how far a firearms retailer must be from a school or daycare. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Concrete is important again here, dictating the lack of material variation throughout the museum, the uniform thickness of the gallery walls, and the minimal slots of light at the junctions of many walls and ceilings. — Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026