dictate

[ verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun dik-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

1. to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record:

   to dictate some letters to a secretary.

2. to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally:

   to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.

verb (used without object)

, dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

1. to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
2. to give orders.

noun

1. an authoritative order or command.
2. a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.:

   to follow the dictates of one's conscience.

   Synonyms: bidding

dictate

verb

1. to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
2. tr to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
3. intr to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

noun

1. an authoritative command
2. a guiding principle or rule

   the dictates of reason

Other Words From

• dictat·ing·ly adverb
• mis·dictat·ed adjective
• pre·dictate verb (used with object) predictated predictating
• re·dictate verb redictated redictating
• un·dictat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin dictātus “said repeatedly,” past participle of dictāre “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe,” from dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say

Example Sentences

Audiophiles often lean toward passive speakers because they allow the users to try out different amplifiers and DACs and to upgrade components as their taste or budget dictates, all while keeping the same speakers.

From Popular-Science

The desire for retribution is understandable when someone has taken an innocent life, but ought, in a civilized society, to be constrained by dictates of justice and mercy, even when the criminal himself has acted inhumanely.

From Washington Post

Moral clarity would dictate that civil-rights and other civic leaders would speak out against such a senseless act of violence.

From The Daily Beast

Neither trusts the other, yet cultural norms dictate that everyone remain cordial.

From The Daily Beast

So, in short, everyone knows Leung is a mere puppet with zero power and will read out whatever the communists dictate to him.

From The Daily Beast

Because the federal government really should dictate all that, right?

From The Daily Beast

How could I forget his dictate to always be proud to be a Jew, even in circumstances when it might not seem to ones advantage?

From The Daily Beast

Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.

From Project Gutenberg

Do not let scandal or a mere love of gossip dictate a letter of intelligence.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not the desire to deceive, but the desire to please, which will dictate such a course.

From Project Gutenberg

France would never again send a Barillon to dictate to the cabinet of England.

From Project Gutenberg

It was disputed among the Mussulmans whether it was eternal or God had created it in order to dictate it to Mahomet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• govern
• guide
• impose
• lay down
• prescribe