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
The Office of the State Auditor maintained that its interest in a Midland site was based on expanding geographic access to early voting, not dictating the county’s final plan. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026 Nineteen minutes after the first communication, another followed, dictating that the bill be vetoed, according to legislative chairwoman Nicole Watts. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Echocardiograms and CT scans offer a picture of blood vessel health, with guidelines based on vessel width dictating when surveillance should begin. Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 July 2026 That's still not dictating our tactics to just sprint upstairs. David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 For weeks, a meme has circulated of Mbappé as a warlord, dictating his teammates’ roles. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 American universities face a severe crisis of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, with state laws and internal policies increasingly dictating curriculum and undermining faculty governance. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 With no federal regulations dictating what information labels should include, the stamps have led to consumer confusion — and nearly 20% of the nation’s food waste, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Olga R. Rodriguez, Fortune, 2 July 2026 With no federal regulations dictating what information labels should include, the stamps have led to consumer confusion — and nearly 20% of the nation’s food waste, according to the Food and Drug Administration. ABC News, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
  • 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
  • Versant will become a minority, non-controlling investor in the company.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Carmella’s daughters are also razzing her for ordering seven vibrators from Amazon.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • However, curious customers can still try some Swedish candy before the store opens by ordering through Swedish Candy Culture’s website or by ordering during a candy drop.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Mariners now sit a game and a half behind the Rangers, who have more of a commanding lead of the American League West.
    Cal Phillips Updated July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • Edwards, who had been the commanding officer of HSC-5 since July 2025, was posthumously promoted to captain, the Navy said in a statement.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • As of now, Zahara also is seeking to legally change her name to Zahara Marley Jolie, while Maddox is requesting to become Maddox Chivan Jolie.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
  • According to documents reviewed by Entertainment Weekly, the 18-year-old filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday requesting that her legal name be changed from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is the Gion Matsuri festival, born more than 1,000 years ago as a ritual to ward off epidemics and celebrated in the former imperial city of Kyoto throughout July.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • One change allows princesses to stay in the imperial family after marrying commoners.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Saturn stations retrograde in your 2nd House of Resources, asking you to review spending, earning, values, and the cost of saying yes too easily.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • DeepSeek might choose to resume the deal process at a later date, the people said, asking to remain anonymous to talk about private discussions.
    Haze Fan, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Adjective
  • Odysseus is a complex character known for being brilliant and crafty, but also being somewhat of an arrogant trickster.
    Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Under normal conditions, someone who’s bossy or pushy can come across as arrogant and annoying.
    Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • That year’s Flood Control Act created the Missouri River Basin Project (now known as the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program), mandating coordinated flood-control efforts across municipal and state lines.
    Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • Among its recommendations, the draft document suggests mandating 750-foot setbacks from homes for data centers and 500-foot setbacks from schools, parks and daycare.
    Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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