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
Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The Higgs is the cornerstone of our physics models, dictating the mass of all other particles.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
In November 2025, the government introduced streaming service quotas dictating major players should apportion a part of their local revenues to original Australian stories.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Świątek entered the match with a 23-2 record in the California desert since 2022 and had been rolling in this tournament, dictating matches with ease.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Oklahoma doesn't have a law dictating the age, but the state's Department of Humans Services does have some guidelines.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
Encourage your child to explore their own beliefs about the Easter Bunny rather than dictating what is or isn't real.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
The Nets were finally dictating stretches with their defense, and the Pistons were feeling it.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Across Florida and the nation, health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are increasingly forcing one-size-fits-all protocols in cancer care — delaying or denying access to treatment and dictating choices based on their financial bottom line, not patient clinical need.
—Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 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
Kalra’s bill would ban private equity firms and hedge funds from dictating case strategy after giving money to a law firm.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The Higgs is the cornerstone of our physics models, dictating the mass of all other particles.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
In November 2025, the government introduced streaming service quotas dictating major players should apportion a part of their local revenues to original Australian stories.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Świątek entered the match with a 23-2 record in the California desert since 2022 and had been rolling in this tournament, dictating matches with ease.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Oklahoma doesn't have a law dictating the age, but the state's Department of Humans Services does have some guidelines.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
Encourage your child to explore their own beliefs about the Easter Bunny rather than dictating what is or isn't real.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
The Nets were finally dictating stretches with their defense, and the Pistons were feeling it.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Across Florida and the nation, health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are increasingly forcing one-size-fits-all protocols in cancer care — delaying or denying access to treatment and dictating choices based on their financial bottom line, not patient clinical need.
—Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
-
To protect its incorporation business, Delaware responded by enacting legislation to give controlling shareholders more latitude under the state’s laws.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 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
-
The regime has taken every precaution to dissuade would-be rioters, establishing military checkpoints and ordering violent crackdowns on the slightest actions against the state authorities.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
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Menin said that Rubio’s attorney, Roger Asmar, offered to cure the issue within the hour, but the judged denied him that opportunity, ordering his client be deported back to his home country of Venezuela.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s something new at work — a cultural hairpin turn — in the way that Apple is made out to be a figure of commanding but toxic damage.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Republicans have a less commanding lead, 52-44, among Catholics.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Most apps have questions requesting users’ ages, and some use specialized identification technology, but proponents say children are getting around these barriers.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
If career demands crowd your mind, consider requesting a new deadline or division of effort.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The imperial institution, as a result, does not typically attend sporting events.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This image is a metaphor for the way imperial colonial power pervades every inch of American democracy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fitbit's marketing materials give the example of someone asking about their cholesterol levels.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The company is asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction to block the government’s ban from staying in effect while the legal fight plays out.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is an organization that can be frustratingly set in its ways and arrogant in its belief that there’s no better way.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Planning for more than 11 contests out of Dobbins, something only produced twice over his first six NFL seasons, isn’t just arrogant.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Barton, director of the legislative services bureau for the California Franchise Tax Board, told legislators that mandating worldwide reporting wouldn’t be difficult for the state from an administrative standpoint, only requiring some additional outreach or educational efforts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The battle over affordable housing runs deep in Colorado, with the state mandating higher density in recent years and, in turn, being sued by cities that claim the legislation treads on their home-rule authority.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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