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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Guidelines for managing cardiovascular risk dictate stricter LDL cholesterol targets, the use of low-dose aspirin when appropriate, and vigilant management of blood pressure and diabetes. Henry I Miller, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025 The glaring disparity between the treatment of Obama and Musk lays bare an uncomfortable truth—in their vision of America, the color of one's skin still dictates the rules of the game. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
As the ritual dictates, those who catch the garter or the bouquet will be the next to get married. Ivana Rihter, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024 How could an eight- or nine-year-old boy possibly understand such nuanced dictates of fashion? Patricia Schultheis, Baltimore Sun, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dictate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictate
Verb
  • On Friday a federal judge blocked DOGE from accessing the Treasury payment system while a court challenge proceeds and ordered any material downloaded from the system to be destroyed.
    Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Trump slapped 10% tariffs on Chinese imports and ordered an end to the loophole.
    Brian Slodysko, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In the Fort Worth Independent School District and across Texas, conversations about literacy instruction have largely focused on the early grades.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The instructions said the test would take 20 minutes and require a pack of lancets.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Police said the suspect, later identified as Onyx Calderon, showed up at the store on Jan. 29 and requested to see the rare bird, so the owner brought the parrot out in a smaller cage for his viewing purposes.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Now the homeowner is requesting permission from the local council, to rezone the historic property as three houses and a cottage.
    Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the president was asked directly, is there anything that Elon Musk cannot touch?
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
  • But there are obvious questions — not asked during the portion of this interview that aired today — of Musk’s conflict of interest as a government contractor and Trump’s appointment of him to lead DOGE.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As a result of Trump’s edicts, employees have been fired; websites have been removed; and scientific papers have been withdrawn.
    Brian Stelter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
  • However, on January 28, shortly before the memo’s edicts were set to take effect, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a stay on the funding freeze.
    Samantha Riedel, Them, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The memo from last Friday bars people with gender dysphoria from joining the military and pauses treatment for transgender troops who require medical treatment.
    Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Simply put, the Court requires more concrete confirmation that Mr. Tiger has suffered an injury—or is at imminent and substantial risk of suffering an illness—likely caused by exposure to lead.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Only a less delusional motivation, a larger conception of self-interest, can move the world in a less delusional direction.
    Winslow Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The refiners are given very unconventional directions to the cave.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • However, this new directive jeopardizes programs aimed at trans students, such as support for homeless students and school mental health assistance.
    Abby Monteil, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The flurry of changes triggered by the directive has led to the erasure of articles featuring NASA astronomers from underrepresented communities that the agency published in years past, like this one.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dictate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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