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
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
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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
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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
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In ordering the culling, CFIA repeatedly cited the need to prevent damage to the country’s nearly $7 billion poultry industry.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Participants are asked to avoid shopping, streaming, ordering online and purchasing fast food.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Austria’s former imperial court jeweler, Christoph Köchert, has since examined the diamond and confirmed its authenticity.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Experts say the atlas could reshape scholarship on imperial logistics, trade networks and cultural diffusion.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Deliberations are ongoing and the company could decide not to proceed with a listing, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn’t public.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Service members such as Partezana were sworn to silence for 43 years following the tests — until the law mandating that silence was lifted in 1996 — and given little warning about the harmful physical side effects of nuclear fallout.—
Hope Hodge Seck,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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In Maine, widely considered a blue state, a measure mandating voters provide photo ID before voting failed.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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