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.

“People seem to be obsessed with now dictating what I’ll do and when?!”

From Salon • Jun. 25, 2026

In 1962, Fifa issued eligibility criteria, dictating that players must have citizenship of the country they wished to play for, and could no longer represent more than one nation over their career.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

With the Model T, Ford standardized placing the steering wheel on the left side of the cabin, dictating the design of American roadways.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

And the U.S. began that relationship with the free Cuban people, many of whom had been enslaved by Spain, not by inviting them to the negotiation table in France but by dictating terms.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Convinced the Americans were about to attack, Castro began dictating a desperate message to Nikita Khrushchev.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin