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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in controlling
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dictating
Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
How much so will go a long way to dictating how successful this window has been or not.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Rivas campaign spokesperson Elizabeth Ashford said the events Moreno referred were state-sponsored and did not violate California law dictating that campaign staff cannot direct state staff to work on campaign-side events.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Jerstad encourages parents to have open conversations with their child about online boundaries instead of dictating barriers, highlighting how social media can have healthy impacts.
—Lani Ngonethong, Twin Cities, 30 Aug. 2025
But, as often happens in a production, the availability of the location was dictating that this scene coincide with Jerry’s arrival in Cincinnati, our main location, doubling for New York City in the 1940s.
—Howard Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
There is no federal policy dictating when officers can or should cover their faces during arrests.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Debt is quietly dictating the choices parents make for their families every day, from skipping meals to shelving college savings plans for their children.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Each state has their own rules governing redistricting, and laws on the books dictating how to do so.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The right question, asked at the right time, can shape decisions without dictating them.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
How much so will go a long way to dictating how successful this window has been or not.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Rivas campaign spokesperson Elizabeth Ashford said the events Moreno referred were state-sponsored and did not violate California law dictating that campaign staff cannot direct state staff to work on campaign-side events.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Jerstad encourages parents to have open conversations with their child about online boundaries instead of dictating barriers, highlighting how social media can have healthy impacts.
—Lani Ngonethong, Twin Cities, 30 Aug. 2025
But, as often happens in a production, the availability of the location was dictating that this scene coincide with Jerry’s arrival in Cincinnati, our main location, doubling for New York City in the 1940s.
—Howard Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
There is no federal policy dictating when officers can or should cover their faces during arrests.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Debt is quietly dictating the choices parents make for their families every day, from skipping meals to shelving college savings plans for their children.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Each state has their own rules governing redistricting, and laws on the books dictating how to do so.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Verb
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Back in January, the President marked his return to the White House by issuing a series of name changes, introducing the Gulf of America and ordering that Denali once again be called Mount McKinley.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Sacramento raid was conducted within days of an order by a federal judge in Southern California ordering the agency to stop similar activity in that region, the motion said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Lepkowski described her cousin's ex as possessive, controlling and physically abusive.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In the same way that a sputtering relationship exhibits overbearing and controlling behavior, is this also the hallmark of a gasping empire?—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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More than 6,800 people had signed a petition requesting that the faculty prevent Kirk from speaking at a similar event at Utah State University.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Regardless, the violation prompted officials in Vilnius, the capital, to write to NATO requesting assistance in defending against Russian aircraft.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
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As one of the world’s largest tech giants, Google’s position in the space is a commanding one, though competition from the likes of Meta, OpenAI and others is fierce.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Police are asking residents to call 305-474-6473 to report sightings of stray or aggressive dogs.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Designing Good User Interview Questions The art of great user interviews comes from asking questions that prompt authentic stories, not just the users' opinions.—
Alexander Jabbour,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Originally built in 1888 as a hunting lodge for the Austrian imperial family, Grand Hotel Fasano has evolved over the decades from a regal retreat into a gathering place for Europe's creative elite.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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But experts say the male-only succession system is structurally flawed and only worked previously thanks to the help of concubines who, until about 100 years ago, produced imperial children.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More than a dozen early cases generally upheld laws and policies mandating their recitation in schools.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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On the one hand, mandating separation from certain friends can backfire.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
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The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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