dictate

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

/ verb ˈdɪk teɪt, dɪkˈteɪt; noun ˈdɪk teɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: dictate / dictated / dictates / dictating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record: to dictate some letters to a secretary.

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.

to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.

to give orders.

noun

an authoritative order or command.

a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.: to follow the dictates of one's conscience.

OTHER WORDS FOR dictate

6 bidding, urging, prompting.

See synonyms for dictate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

TEST YOUR MERIT ON THESE NEW WORDS IN 2021

The Dictionary added new words and definition to our vast collection, and we want to see how well-versed you are in the formally recognized new lingo. Take the quiz!

Question 1 of 8

What does JEDI stand for?

justice, equity, diversity, inclusion

justice, energy, determination, instruction

joy, equality, diversity, involvement

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of dictate

1585–95; <Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to say repeatedly, prescribe, order, frequentative of dīcere to say

OTHER WORDS FROM dictate

dic·tat·ing·ly, adverbmis·dic·tat·ed, adjectivepre·dic·tate, verb (used with object), pre·dic·tat·ed, pre·dic·tat·ing.re·dic·tate, verb, re·dic·tat·ed, re·dic·tat·ing.

un·dic·tat·ed, adjective

Words nearby dictate

dicrotic wave, dicrotism, dict., dicta, Dictaphone, dictate, dictating machine, dictation, dictator, dictatorial, dictatorship

How to use dictate in a sentence

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.
This is what Derek Chauvin’s sentence should be|Paul Butler|June 24, 2021|Washington Post
Moral clarity would dictate that civil-rights and other civic leaders would speak out against such a senseless act of violence.
It’s Time to Hold Protesters Accountable|Ron Christie|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Neither trusts the other, yet cultural norms dictate that everyone remain cordial.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|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.
Beijing/Hong Kong: A Tale of Two Cities as Demonstrations Continue|Ben Leung|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Because the federal government really should dictate all that, right?
Now Let’s Replace All the Other Big-Spending Eric Cantors|Nick Gillespie|June 11, 2014|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?
A Jewish Ex-Con Recalls Keeping Kosher with the Faithful in Prison|Daniel Genis|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Do not let scandal or a mere love of gossip dictate a letter of intelligence.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
It is not the desire to deceive, but the desire to please, which will dictate such a course.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
France would never again send a Barillon to dictate to the cabinet of England.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
It was disputed among the Mussulmans whether it was eternal or God had created it in order to dictate it to Mahomet.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

British Dictionary definitions for dictate

dictate

verb (dɪkˈteɪt)

to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person

(tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively

(intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

noun (ˈdɪkteɪt)

an authoritative command

a guiding principle or rulethe dictates of reason

Word Origin for dictate

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

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

dictate

OTHER WORDS FOR dictate

Origin of dictate

OTHER WORDS FROM dictate

Words nearby dictate

Words related to dictate

How to use dictate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dictate

Word Origin for dictate