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
Playing time here won’t be dictated solely by individual performance. Katie Woo, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 To change a state line, the U.S. Constitution dictates that the Indiana legislature, the Illinois legislature, and then Congress would have to approve the measure, said Paul Helmke, Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs professor. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
The conservative preference for habit and custom over dictate and fiat recognizes that the plant must fit the soil. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 30 Dec. 2024 As plans for January premières, luncheons, and awards shows were upended, we were treated to an almost moralistic spectacle of Tinseltown frivolities colliding with the elemental dictates of Mother Nature. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dictate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
  • Most recently, the state ordered Kingda Ka shuttered in 2023 after its launch cable snapped.
    Mike Davis, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • In theaters now Showtimes Suits LA Suits experienced the Netflix bump two years ago, so naturally, a spinoff was ordered.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the BRIT Awards in the US with AtlasVPN.
    Monica Mercuri, StyleCaster, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Refer to your owner’s manual for specific filter removal instructions.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Then in September 2024, Ramsey was scrolling through Reddit and saw a post where someone had requested people be removed from a photo using Photoshop.
    Daniella Gray, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Registration is requested for refreshment planning.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the authorities.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Gilmore said that could be a possibility and suggested someone from the city would ask the company owners.
    Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The historical irony of an order, essentially a government edict, striking so hard at one of the nation’s 35 accredited TCUs, or Tribal Colleges & Universities, does not escape him.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Despite event cancellations and temporary closures at other presidential centers, the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin remains unaffected by edicts from Washington, a top official tells Axios.
    Asher Price, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Their laidback silhouette doesn’t require any cushioning, according to reviewers, and their smart weatherproof design removes the need for much maintenance.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025
  • For instance, European Union regulations require an increasing share of electrified vehicles including sales of more than 60% zero emissions vehicles by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
    Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Cooperman expressed both support and misgivings about the direction President Donald Trump has taken while pursuing tariffs against U.S. trading partners.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The final look was all sleekness and shine and natural flow — fitting into the overall bohemian direction of her look that evening.
    Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Musk’s email directive has been the subject of bipartisan criticism and concerns about potential illegality and overreach.
    Chad de Guzman, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
  • But as part of Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants, on the first day of his second term, DHS rescinded a directive that limited federal agents' ability to conduct enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals.
    Abraham Gutman The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS), arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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