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
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 Cam Edwards followed a 98-yard Week 1 with 152 rushing yards against Eastern Michigan, giving Pat Fitzgerald an offense that can try to keep Notre Dame from dictating the pace. — Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 In addition to these trends dictating fashion overall, Faire also found that local identity is now influencing fashion at a national level. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 9 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 Once again, the brand delegated cultural authority rather than dictating it from on high. — Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
  • 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
  • This has impacted every aspect of his life — sleep, eating habits and his controlling attitude toward me.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • From development to production The contract represents a shift for Increment 2 as the Army begins ordering the missile while testing continues.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In the past, the NIH determined funding by ordering grants based on scientific merit scores assigned by expert peer reviewers.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Fox News Digital reached out to the companies requesting comment.
    — Melissa Rudy , Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The Star-Telegram reached out to Keene ISD Athletics requesting comment and has not yet received a response.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Yedikule Fortress, a former prison and imperial treasury whose origins go back to the fourth-century Walls of Constantinople, is returning to its former magnificence as the result of a multi-stage restoration project.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Wudang’s palaces and temples flourished during the Ming dynasty, when Emperor Zhu Di undertook a major building campaign to align his imperial regime with Taoism.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Leo July 23 – August 22 Your world may be asking you to stretch.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The opportunities are in docs for now, but Sloss told Deadline that members are already asking about potential investment in non-doc projects.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Everybody on our side understands that impeachment is a critical tool in the toolbox for constitutional self-defense against a president acting like a king, an imperious, lawless, arrogant king.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Most obviously, front and center, and in endlessly intrusive close-up, there’s Pattinson — who also serves as producer — playing the arrogant, fame-addicted, megalomaniac Hansen.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Drawing has long been regarded as an intellectual activity, something generated, above all, by the mind, with its capacity for conceiving, imagining, and mandating.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Hawaii has no statewide requirement or policy mandating instruction specifically on 9/11, the state Department of Education said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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