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Synonyms

decree

American  
[dih-kree] / dɪˈkri /

noun

  1. a formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law.

    a presidential decree.

  2. Law. a judicial decision or order.

  3. Theology. one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.


verb (used with or without object)

decreed, decreeing
  1. to command, ordain, or decide by decree.

decree British  
/ dɪˈkriː /

noun

  1. an edict, law, etc, made by someone in authority

  2. an order or judgment of a court made after hearing a suit, esp in matrimonial proceedings See decree nisi decree absolute

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • decreeable adjective
  • decreer noun
  • predecree verb (used with object)
  • undecreed adjective
  • well-decreed adjective

Etymology

Origin of decree

1275–1325; (noun) Middle English decre < Anglo-French decre, decret < Latin dēcrētum, noun use of neuter of dēcrētus, past participle of dēcernere; decern; (v.) Middle English decreen, derivative of the noun

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.

"We don't want a consultation. We want this decree revoked," Indigenous leader Gilson Tupinamba, wearing a large headdress of blue and orange feathers, told a meeting with government representatives on Wednesday.

From Barron's

Sharaa also issued a decree recognising Kurdish cultural, linguistic and civil rights by making Kurdish a national language, granting nationality to stateless Kurds, and declaring their new year a national holiday.

From BBC

On Thursday, his office said a government decree has taken effect to "restrict the import of drones via postal traffic and express shipments, due to the high risk they pose to national security and defense."

From Barron's

The Syrian leader issued a decree this month restoring Syrian citizenship to Kurdish Syrians and recognizing Kurdish as a national language.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was the first of the verdicts in four trials linked to Yoon's shock martial law decree.

From BBC