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

Though, of course, because Larry is Larry (and therefore governed by a peculiar physics that dictates that every step forward be followed by two in reverse), his year at SNL would prove to be far from a rosy adventure. — Blake J. Harris, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026 Your appearance dictates much of how people treat and respond to you. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 The most recent 10-year plan that dictates water allocation among the seven basin states, tribal nations, and Mexico expires at the end of this year. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 Army regulation dictates that at least two media outlets should be selected to witness the execution. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 How atoms behave at the quantum level dictates the properties molecules and materials have, so understanding their wave functions is key, and Schrödinger’s formulation became widely used for this purpose. — Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 This unique propagation gives rise to wave trajectories with directional rotation, or handedness, which dictates whether paths rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026 Logic dictates that Sony would have some sort of access to premium large-format screens during a quiet time at the box office. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 Across virtual treatment and telehealth, engagement dictates outcomes. — Jeff Beck, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

As Stephen Sondheim teaches us, (forgettable) content dictates (forgettable) form. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026 Nacua is in the final year of his rookie contract, and his on-field play dictates he be paid upward of $40 million per year. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 At the heart of Wang’s vision for WWM is a model where the public dictates which stories are worth further exploration. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 The individual sensibilities of people who directed them were subordinated to dictates of the franchise. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictates

Verb

According to the lawsuit, Thomas frequently visits McDonald’s and orders a Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries and a Coke.

— Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Thomas frequently visits McDonald’s and orders a Quarter Pounder with cheese, french fries and a Coke.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

Three days before the test, a hospital administrator from Southampton Hospital called to confirm the appointment and review the preparation instructions.

— Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Instead, the test showed how a human could direct a semi-autonomous platform while its software handled the details of executing instructions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of instructions

Noun

The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Verb

Harnessing that opportunity requires both the resources to teach CPR effectively and the policies to ensure every student has the chance to learn it.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Any plan for red-light traffic cameras requires engineering and location approval from DOT officials.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of requires

Noun

Wednesday’s filing marks the latest escalation in the legal fight over conditions at the facility and the government’s lack of compliance with the court’s directives.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Individual campuses in the CSU and UC can create their own policies in addition to systemwide directives.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of directives

Verb

The Minneapolis City Council approved an ordinance earlier this month that mandates a human monitor in driverless cars.

— Reg Chapman, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
For one, the law mandates that states adopt intensive new work requirements for older adults and others, resulting in voluminous additional monthly paperwork.

— Eli Hager, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of mandates

Noun

Metal forks are stored handles downward and plastic forks are positioned both directions for patron self service.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
For another, turning my head just sent the view spinning in different directions in a way that quickly threatened nausea.

— Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of directions

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dictated

dictates

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“Dictates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dictates

verb

noun

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