dictating 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Currently, artificial intelligence investments and tech sector movements represent the primary variables dictating market direction, making the progress of data center construction a critical proxy for gauging AI investment prospects. — CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026 This shift forces the primary cooling medium from air to liquid, dictating completely different plant designs and controls. — Steve Altizer, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026 Over the following centuries many women took on the role of biological reproduction machines, with population growth and population control dictating how many babies women should have. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 After so much talk leading up to and coming out of the game in Melbourne, Australia, about the Los Angeles Rams waiting until late to fly there — and lost 27-7 to San Francisco — the NFL does not appear close to dictating when teams must travel. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 So once again, the rich, powerful Establishment would be dictating the terms under which everyone else lives. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 This is her first time in the finals as a team leader, and her production will go a long way toward dictating Atlanta’s success. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2026 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 Unfortunately, California has unelected boards and commissions that are dictating policy to the entire state without any accountability. — Charlie Borla, Oc Register, 5 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
  • Other light-responsive materials that hide and reveal colours illustrate how controlling visibility could have uses beyond body art.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Rivian, still a major non-controlling shareholder, factors into that roadmap too, since its growing fleet of on-road vehicles generates the driving data Also will eventually need to train its own autonomy systems.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • On November 2, Putin also signed a decree ordering Russian data center operators to set aside 10 percent of available space and capacity in case the Russian government requires it, according to independent Russian news publication Meduza.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Police allege the unauthorized wiretapping took place between 2025 and 2026, with the suspects ordering wiretaps without following procedures established under a 2010 National Police regulation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Also contributing to losses were the commanding Democratic victories across the country in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As a young teenager, I was immediately captivated by his commanding presence and charisma portraying King Leodegrance of Cameliard — Queen Guinevere’s noble father and a cunning warrior.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Department of Justice has sued California requesting the state set aside some 20,000 ballots the federal government has flagged as being potentially from noncitizens.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The crew had reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence while flying at about 35,000 feet before requesting permission to climb to 37,000 feet.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Included in the exhibition are four portraits of Roman emperors whose statues once stood at Boubon’s Sebasteion, a monumental display dedicated to the Roman imperial family, notes Tech Times.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Other priorities include examining the emergence of early states, imperial capitals, and major Bronze Age civilizations.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Polson did not respond to messages asking him to confirm all the books are his.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Law enforcement were asking people to avoid the area and allow emergency personnel to conduct their investigation safely.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Using an acronym meant for minor zoning squabbles against resistance to a massive, 80 mph express train slicing through dense residential blocks is an arrogant posture that completely obscures the true nature of this unconscionable project.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Steve Buscemi as Harry’s regular fence; Tatiana Maslany as his estranged daughter; and Will Price as the arrogant, heat-packing scion of a Manhattan crime family also star.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Putting a durable end to the redistricting war would likely require congressional guardrails, such as banning the practice between censuses, or mandating that it be handled by independent commissions.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • City administrators have maintained that North Carolina state law preempts local governments from mandating wage or benefit floors for private subcontractors.
    — Chase Jordan October 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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