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
Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Selecting that is always among the most difficult parts in his process, Cerrudo said, because music carries such weight in dictating the identity of a dance.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Connecticut became the first state to pass a speed limit law, dictating that no motor vehicle could exceed 12 mph in cities or 15 mph outside city limits.
—USA Today, 6 May 2026
There is a trend in the NFL of teams dipping their toes into two-tight-end sets, dictating specific personnel packages for defenses.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 4 May 2026
To secure three points, Orlando must strike early and prevent Miami from dictating the tempo.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The board functioned as a bridging device – a mechanism by which scientific judgment could inform federal decisions without scientists becoming political officers, and political priorities could shape research agendas without dictating findings.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
This transit is shedding light on surface-level power and the unseen social currents secretly dictating your life.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The government should play a role in dictating the terms of how AI transforms the world.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 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
Marseille’s bouillabaisse follows a 1980 charter dictating which fish can go in the pot.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Selecting that is always among the most difficult parts in his process, Cerrudo said, because music carries such weight in dictating the identity of a dance.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Connecticut became the first state to pass a speed limit law, dictating that no motor vehicle could exceed 12 mph in cities or 15 mph outside city limits.
—USA Today, 6 May 2026
There is a trend in the NFL of teams dipping their toes into two-tight-end sets, dictating specific personnel packages for defenses.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 4 May 2026
To secure three points, Orlando must strike early and prevent Miami from dictating the tempo.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The board functioned as a bridging device – a mechanism by which scientific judgment could inform federal decisions without scientists becoming political officers, and political priorities could shape research agendas without dictating findings.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
This transit is shedding light on surface-level power and the unseen social currents secretly dictating your life.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The government should play a role in dictating the terms of how AI transforms the world.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictating
Adjective
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According to those close to the family, József was extremely controlling and would often make terrifying threats.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
In girl friend groups, one of the girls is a bit more controlling, a bit more sassy, and a bit more precocious than the other ones.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rebecca Cliffe of the Sloth Conservation Foundation and Sam Trull of the Sloth Institute, organizations based in Costa Rica, arrived in Central Florida last week to speak with state and local authorities and zoo officials about the matter, culminating in FWC ordering the temporary suspension.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
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In September 1960, Fidel Castro’s government published a decree ordering the confiscation of all of it without compensation.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Xi’s expected to be a commanding presence as host, opposite a US president known more for relying on gut instinct than meticulous preparation.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The chair of the House Oversight Committee has sent a letter to OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman requesting information about potential conflicts of interest between Altman’s personal investments and his operation of the company.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Taken together, these safeguards ensure that customers requesting significant new load also bear the financial responsibility that comes with it.—
Scott Bores,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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The second day of events in Beijing included a tea ceremony at Zhongnanhai Garden, a sweeping government compound dating to the imperial age, followed by a working lunch.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
-
After China’s imperial era ended in 1912, Zhongnanhai was repurposed as a presidential compound.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Denver City Council is asking similar questions.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Then, last year, at a July meeting of the district’s school board, Junez and a handful of other students came before district leadership, once again asking them to institute a boys volleyball team.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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Of course, David went on to build one of the most illustrious careers in television with characters who are often arrogant, petty and unlikable by traditional media standards.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Last year, lawmakers passed legislation mandating warning labels on social media platforms about risks to mental health.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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The Supreme Court followed that with a decision also overturning a judicial order mandating that Alabama use a House map with two largely Black congressional districts.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictating. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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