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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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
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Those of us who would love to have agents and publishing houses dictating our next books feigned sympathy.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Fland also added 15 points and eight assists, playing a terrific floor game and dictating the action from the opening tip.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Never mind the long history of regulation dictating what goes on inside factories—emergency exits in clothing factories, cleanliness standards in meatpacking facilities, and so on.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
The district's cellphone policy also limits the use of tablets, laptops, wireless headphones and smart watches, dictating that devices must be turned off and put away during the school day.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The platform’s design respects both the professional’s expertise and the patient’s needs, creating a dynamic where technology supports care rather than dictating it.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead, Burt argued that policymakers must balance caution with humility and avoid dictating outcomes in a sector that is still young, leaving room for innovation within a sound regulatory framework.
—Anastasia Chernikova, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
And instead of dictating from the central office which books to recommend, Barnes & Noble now lets local booksellers suggest books to their customers, giving the stores a more personal touch, Flanigan said.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 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
If the Matt Wells era of the Colorado Rapids is truly about dictating games instead of reacting to them, Sunday’s season opener at the Seattle Sounders will offer an immediate test.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Those of us who would love to have agents and publishing houses dictating our next books feigned sympathy.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Fland also added 15 points and eight assists, playing a terrific floor game and dictating the action from the opening tip.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Never mind the long history of regulation dictating what goes on inside factories—emergency exits in clothing factories, cleanliness standards in meatpacking facilities, and so on.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
The district's cellphone policy also limits the use of tablets, laptops, wireless headphones and smart watches, dictating that devices must be turned off and put away during the school day.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The platform’s design respects both the professional’s expertise and the patient’s needs, creating a dynamic where technology supports care rather than dictating it.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead, Burt argued that policymakers must balance caution with humility and avoid dictating outcomes in a sector that is still young, leaving room for innovation within a sound regulatory framework.
—Anastasia Chernikova, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
And instead of dictating from the central office which books to recommend, Barnes & Noble now lets local booksellers suggest books to their customers, giving the stores a more personal touch, Flanigan said.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
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The podcast paints Jordan as an increasingly controlling and abusive on-and-off-again boyfriend of Arceneaux's who at one point gave her three pages of rules to follow, like sharing social media passwords and her location.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Rousseau is a notoriously controlling and meticulous leader, obsessed with optics and strict about the physical fitness of his members.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Attorneys representing Polis informed a Denver judge Friday that the governor wanted a ruling that would indefinitely block him from ordering the release of the information, which ICE had initially requested roughly a year ago.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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The buckets hold a whopping 48 ounces of Dunkin’ drink; if you’re used to ordering a 16-ounce, then one bucket has enough coffee to share with two of your friends.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In an indictment Thursday, federal prosecutors said Kevin Taylor attempted to steer an $11 million contract toward the company, SaferWatch, while serving as the commanding officer of the department's School Safety Division.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The President demoted Greg Bovino, the commanding agent in charge of the roving patrols that have besieged Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An attorney representing the group did not immediately respond to an email requesting a comment.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
On ConsumerAffairs, multiple customers complained that customer service has not been very responsive to their concerns about canceling subscriptions and requesting refunds.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For him, Yuan porcelain represented a major cultural and technological breakthrough in Chinese art under Mongol rule, countering long-running, orthodox perceptions of the imperial dynasty.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
When the world order experienced another major transition driven by the decline of the British Empire after World War II, a new generation of imperial agents would play a similarly seminal role during the Cold War.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Police have released images of the suspects and are asking anyone with information to contact investigators at (213) 486-5947 or (877) 527-3247.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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SacRT is holding a series of community workshops, asking people what needs to be done to reduce hazards on the way to bus and light rail stations.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
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And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The law expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults, mandating that parents of dependent children ages 14 and older work, volunteer or participate in job training at least 80 hours a month.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Some files have not been made public despite a law mandating their release.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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