Dictates — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈdik-ˌtāt/ dic·tate

Meaning & Definition of Dictates

Dictates (verb)

  1. to utter words to be transcribed, to give dictation
  2. to speak or act domineeringly, prescribe
  3. to speak or read for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record
  4. to give orders to (someone) —usually used as (be) dictated to

Dictates (noun)

  1. an authoritative rule, prescription, or injunction
  2. a ruling principle
  3. a command by one in authority

Dictates (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority

    "dictated that the terms of surrender be negotiated by his senior staff"

    similar: calls, commands, decrees, directs, mandates, ordains, orders, calls for
    related: asks, petitions, requests, demands, requires
    near: cancels, countermands, rescinds

Dictates (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned

    "a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code"

    similar: behests, charges, commandments, commands, decrees, directions, directives, dos, edicts, imperatives, injunctions, instructions, orders, words
    related: demands, requirements, mandates, countermands, counterorders, laws, precepts, prescriptions, prescripts, rules, ordinances, regulations, statutes
    near: appeals, entreaties, petitions, pleas, urgings, proposals, recommendations, suggestions

Related Entry: Dictate (verb)

Dictate is a different word from Dictates. The synonyms below are for dictate, not for dictates.

  1. to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority

    "dictated that the terms of surrender be negotiated by his senior staff"

    similar: call, command, decree, direct, mandate, ordain, order, call for
    related: ask, petition, request, demand, require
    near: cancel, countermand, rescind

Related Entry: Dictate (noun)

Dictate is a different word from Dictates. The synonyms below are for dictate, not for dictates.

  1. a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned

    "a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code"

    similar: behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, direction, directive, do, edict, imperative, injunction, instruction, order, word
    related: demand, requirement, mandate, countermand, counterorder, law, precept, prescript, prescription, rule, ordinance, regulation, statute
    near: appeal, entreaty, petition, plea, urging, proposal, recommendation, suggestion

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dictates

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dictates:

calls, commands, decrees, directs, mandates, ordains, orders, calls for, behests, charges, commandments, directions, directives, dos, edicts, imperatives, injunctions, instructions, words

Related Words for Dictates

asks, petitions, requests, demands, requires, requirements, countermands, counterorders, laws, precepts, prescriptions, prescripts, rules, ordinances, regulations, statutes

Near Antonyms of Dictates

cancels, countermands, rescinds, appeals, entreaties, petitions, pleas, urgings, proposals, recommendations, suggestions

Word Forms of Dictates

Inflections: dictated, dictating, dictated to, dictating to, dictates to

Origin & Etymology of Dictates

borrowed from Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre "to say repeatedly, speak aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order," frequentative of dīcere "to talk, speak, say, utter" diction

First known use: 1577i

Frequently Asked Questions about Dictates

What does "Dictates" mean?

"Dictates" means to utter words to be transcribed, to give dictation. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to utter words to be transcribed, to give dictation. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dictates"?

Other words for "Dictates" include calls, commands, decrees, directs, mandates, ordains, orders and calls for. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dictates" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dictates"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dictates". Common alternatives include calls, commands, decrees, directs, mandates, ordains, orders, calls for, behests and charges.

How do you use "Dictates" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dictates" in a sentence: "dictated that the terms of surrender be negotiated by his senior staff"; "a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code".

Is "Dictates" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dictates" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dictates"?

"Dictates" is pronounced /ˈdik-ˌtāt/ and divided into syllables as dic·tate.

What is the origin of the word "Dictates"?

"Dictates" comes from borrowed from Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre "to say repeatedly, speak aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order," frequentative of dīcere "to talk, speak, say, utter" diction. First known use: 1577i.

What is another word for "Dictates" meaning "to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority"?

When "Dictates" (verb) means to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority, synonyms include calls, commands, decrees, directs, mandates and ordains.