dictate 1 of 2

as in to order
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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dictate

2 of 2

noun

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 dictate
Verb
Costs largely dictate what both the city and Great Parks can do. Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025 Among hurdles facing those who would like to build new affordable communities is a mountain of red tape dictating what and where new properties can be built. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
Under the dictates of the House legislation, local governments would be immediately banned from creating new CRAs, and forced to wind down existing ones within 20 years. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025 It’s called following the law and the dictates of conscience. Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dictate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
  • Some of those claims were dismissed by a judge in 2024, but the lawsuit was still ordered to move forward; in June, however, Lizzo filed an appeal aimed at shutting it down for good on the grounds that the dancers’ claims clashed with her First Amendment rights.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 1 July 2025
  • The company has been ordering fireworks a year in advance, Marietta said.
    Tim Hrenchir, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The first is do not send or accept wire instructions by email.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
  • Some sirens can broadcast specific instructions, which can help.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Personnel requested ground and air ambulances, and began performing life-saving measures.
    Theresa Clift July 12, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
  • In July 2022, Citizens’ Board of Governors approved allowing the company to modify its policies with a rider that gave Citizens or its policyholders the right to request arbitration by DOAH.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The department published a serious note to its Facebook page early Monday after the Free Press asked about it.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • You’re asked to enroll your Wi-Fi smart thermostat in a bring-your-own-thermostat program.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Similarly, the May edict only allowed garments to pass through the Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2025
  • Braun wants to drive down health care costs and expand access in rural areas ― a broad edict the legislature started working on in 2023.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Reservations required: Which national parks require them in 2025 Unrelated, the executive order also revokes a presidential memorandum signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2017 that promoted a range of diversity and inclusion efforts in the management of national parks and other public lands.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 5 July 2025
  • Measures for the sewage crisis and countering Trump’s domestic agenda require county staff to probe available funding, from grants and philanthropy to new taxes and an overhaul of how the county calculates its reserves.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • They’re then added into the mascarpone mixture one spoonful at a time, while stirring gently in the same direction to achieve a consistent light and airy texture.
    Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
  • There are a huge number of signals from every direction that a player has to process first, even without the risk of being tackled.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • That directive would shape how every department functioned.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
  • For them, Akil’s message was both a reminder and a directive: talent is only part of the equation—vision, ownership, and longevity matter just as much.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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