as in controlling
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Peaceful coexistence is the goal, and that’s not going to happen if one person is dictating what can and can’t happen in the neighborhood.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Because light plays a key role in dictating when your body wakes and sleeps, exposing yourself to sunlight even on overcast days will benefit your mood and sleep.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Dec. 2025
American presidents end up reacting to crises more than dictating outcomes.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025
As for the midfield, there is a growing consensus on the need to sign a player capable of dictating the tempo of the game, something Madrid have been lacking since the departures of Toni Kroos in 2024 and Luka Modric in the summer.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Rather than imposing margin targets or dictating ticket prices from headquarters, the company empowers its merchants to determine appropriate retail levels.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
While no state law exists, some cities have ordinances dictating when holiday lights must be removed.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 28 Nov. 2025
It’s been 120 full years since Einstein first put forth his special theory of relativity into the world, dictating how neither space nor time were absolute, but rather the speed of light was.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
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
Peaceful coexistence is the goal, and that’s not going to happen if one person is dictating what can and can’t happen in the neighborhood.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Because light plays a key role in dictating when your body wakes and sleeps, exposing yourself to sunlight even on overcast days will benefit your mood and sleep.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Dec. 2025
American presidents end up reacting to crises more than dictating outcomes.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025
As for the midfield, there is a growing consensus on the need to sign a player capable of dictating the tempo of the game, something Madrid have been lacking since the departures of Toni Kroos in 2024 and Luka Modric in the summer.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Rather than imposing margin targets or dictating ticket prices from headquarters, the company empowers its merchants to determine appropriate retail levels.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
While no state law exists, some cities have ordinances dictating when holiday lights must be removed.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 28 Nov. 2025
It’s been 120 full years since Einstein first put forth his special theory of relativity into the world, dictating how neither space nor time were absolute, but rather the speed of light was.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
-
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
-
Yet another was a forum for people who, like me, had left a highly controlling religious denomination.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Shoppers can also get free delivery by ordering through the Wing app.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Pizza chain Papa Johns is making a similar push, announcing this month the launch of a voice and text AI ordering agent powered by Google's Gemini platform.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At this point, Lawrence needs a commanding postseason display to turn that around.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The two were found by Portland police in a different location from where the shooting occurred after responding to a call from a man requesting help.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Minutes later, police received a call from a different location from a man who said he’d been shot by federal officers and was requesting help, according to Day and dispatch audio.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Scholars of the imperial presidency often say that public opinion — not the legislature or the courts — remains the strongest check on executive authority.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Its distinctive architecture is especially interesting; an unexpected juxtaposition of awe-inspiring Roman monuments and the charming skyline of a former imperial town.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, more than 75% of people who live in the neighborhood south of Pleasant Grove High School (PGHS) and Albanian Middle School have signed a petition asking the city for help.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Both states are asking, in essence, for the courts to block ICE from enforcing some immigration law, based on the 10th Amendment.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
A lot of people who are that level of arrogant, there’s also an immense insecurity, right?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The boy is arrogant, Helen thinks.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In February 2022 — just months before Cardenas’ death — a federal judge approved a sweeping consent decree mandating a host of reforms at the jail, many of them aimed at improving mental health treatment.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The Berkeley City Council is mandating fireproofing homes in high-risk areas, and the legislation is starting to get some pushback in the hills.—
Amanda Hari,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
