DICTATES Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

dictates 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dictate

as in orders

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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dictates

2 of 2

noun

plural of dictate

as in instructions

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code

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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 dictates

Verb

Consumers have been feeling the pain, as refining capacity — which dictates the price of products like gasoline and diesel — has become hugely constrained. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 The experience reinforced just how important location is in a city where convenience often dictates attendance. — Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 All this does is strengthen a tired argument that has existed in baseball since the ‘90s; that market size dictates the winners. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026 Lawlor is also a member of the Police Officers Standards and Training Council — which dictates training criteria for police in Connecticut. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 Insurance coverage typically dictates which path comes first. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026 Since then, tradition dictates that every member of the royal family travel with a black outfit, ready to be worn in the event of a death. — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 31 July 2026 The letter also addressed concerns that the new salary cap would blow past revenue-sharing amounts established in the House settlement, which dictates the terms of paying players. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 Boyd’s insight was that whoever observes and orients better gets inside their opponent’s decision cycle and dictates the fight. — Nnamdi Iregbulem, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Noun

But rather than riding on the top of the mikoshi, or portable Shinto shrine, as tradition dictates, the heavily pregnant Kawata walked behind it. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 2026 Starting next week, a 30-member task force will begin reviewing 24 proposals for a cut of Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax proceeds, which state law dictates must generally be used to promote tourism. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 The difference is the true deficit, as the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget analyst Gabe Petek sees it — and as common sense dictates. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Tradition dictates, in its birthplace of the Piedmont region of Italy, that tonnato is served with thin pieces of veal. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 29 June 2026 The downturn bolsters the longstanding theory that the Bitcoin market follows the dictates of US election cycles. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 June 2026 Prioritize Human Oversight And Algorithmic Transparency To balance rapid technological growth with core values, leaders should implement rigorous ethical guardrails that ensure AI integration serves the mission rather than just the dictates of high-tech donors. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 As fake dating logic dictates, proximity (and, blessedly, only one bed) leads to very real feelings. — Erin La Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 Now, agencies must weigh whether to adhere to federal dictates or comply with state transparency rules, with some directing records custodians and media spokespersons to acknowledge public records requests but not fulfill them unless ICE grants approval, records show. — Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictates

Verb

In the book, Rhaenyra also orders that Nettles be imprisoned, but Daemon, who is suspected of being Nettles’s lover, lets her escape.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Suddenly powering down after an officer orders you to hand over the device could raise questions about your intent.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

Do apply a lawn fungicide shortly after sodding, and repeat about two weeks later following label instructions.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
To prevent this, always use distilled water and keep it clean, following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

— Kendall Bettle, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of instructions

Verb

When a client requests new data, Hollow swaps versions in atomically, so reads never wait on writes and performance stays real-time.

— Jon Stojan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
If you're emailed anything about your order that requests payments, redelivery payments, account details, or anything similar, don't click any links in the email; go directly to Valve to double-check.

— Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of requests

Noun

Those who oppose the Mexican Mafia, or fail to follow the edicts of the gang’s leaders, are often targeted for beatings or even death.

— Sean Emery, Oc Register, 22 July 2026
Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.

— Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Definition of edicts

Verb

To avoid a runoff, Graham Nordone needed to pass the 50% threshold in Tuesday’s special primary election, as South Carolina law requires a candidate to win more than half of the vote to secure their party’s nomination.

— Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
That requires dialogue, especially during difficult times, a fearlessness to confront rather than cower, and in-person meetings not memos.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of requires

Noun

Nothing in twelve months of directives, license grants and product shutdowns suggests that trade is on the table.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Party directives call for greater Chinese influence over rules governing the oceans, polar regions, cyberspace, outer space, nuclear safety, anticorruption efforts, climate change, and international finance.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of directives

Verb

This global policy, without an opt-out, is largely driven by the EU AI Act's Article 50, which mandates transparency for AI outputs.

— Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
But this week, UFT President Michael Mulgrew threatened to yank his support, critiquing not the curriculum mandates themselves, but contradictory supplements and paperwork.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of mandates

Noun

But a complete turnover on defense, coupled with nonconference games at Georgia Tech and Northwestern, will lead to another losing season, after which both sides move in different directions.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Route 53 is extended in both directions to connect Carpenter Regional Rail Station and Richmond-Westmoreland Loop via Aramingo Avenue.

— Laura Fay, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of directions

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“Dictates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictates. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dictates

verb

noun

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