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dictating

VERB

command; give instructions

Synonyms

STRONGEST

govern guide impose lay down prescribe

STRONG

bid bulldoze charge control decree direct enjoin instruct lead manage ordain order pronounce regiment rule set

WEAK

call the play call the shots call the tune lay down the law put foot down read the riot act take the reins walk heavy

Antonyms

STRONG

disallow mismanage

WEAK

ask implore request

VERB

read out for the record

Synonyms

STRONGEST

speak

STRONG

compose deliver emit formulate interview orate say talk transmit utter verbalize

WEAK

draft correspondence give account give forth prepare draft

Antonyms

STRONG

conceal refrain withhold

WEAK

ask implore request

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“When diplomacy is not moving forward, the field starts dictating where we are going,” al-Omari said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

"If the sheep are dictating safety and the wolves are not, then there's no purpose," Brockman said Musk allegedly told employees at the time.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

The bill protects individuals without dictating speech or turning platforms into grand arbiters of content.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

A growing number of software developers in Silicon Valley are dictating coding instructions for hours at a time instead of typing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

I’d been swimming for what felt like an hour, and I was so exhausted that the waves were now dictating my direction.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo