dictate
verb (used with object)
to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.
had dictated
-
past perfectof dictate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
“Churchill not only liked to get something down on paper as soon as he possibly could, but he demanded to see at once how what he had dictated looked like in type,” Mr. Stiles writes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026
In the past, seniority had dictated most of these choices.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2025
Because overtaking was close to impossible, he said, qualifying had dictated his race result.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2025
Bornstein later revealed that Trump himself had dictated the glowing assessment, calling it “black humor” and admitting he had written it in five minutes while a limo sent by the then-candidate waited outside his office.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 14, 2021
While not really an apology—indeed, forces beyond his control had dictated his actions—this was at least a major concession.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
