dictate

[dik-teyt]

dictate Definition

• 1. to say or read something aloud for someone else to write down
• 2. to give orders or commands that must be obeyed
• 3. to strongly influence or determine something

Using dictate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dictate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The boss dictated a letter to his secretary.

• Example

  The new policy was dictated by the CEO.

• Example

  The weather will dictate our plans for the day.

dictate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for dictate

• command
• direct
• order
• prescribe
• influence

Antonyms for dictate

• follow
• obey
• yield

Idioms Using dictate

• bend to someone's dictate

  to submit to someone's orders or commands

  Example

  He refused to bend to his boss's dictates and quit his job.

• at the dictates of someone

  under the orders or commands of someone

  Example

  The company had to lay off employees at the dictates of the board of directors.

• dictate to someone's pen

  to control or influence what someone writes or says

  Example

  The editor tried to dictate to the writer's pen, but the writer refused to change the article.

Phrases with dictate

• dictate terms

  to impose one's demands or conditions on others

  Example

  The company was in a strong position and was able to dictate the terms of the contract.

• under someone's dictate

  under someone's control or authority

  Example

  The country was under the dictator's dictate for many years.

• take dictation

  to write down what someone else is saying

  Example

  She can take dictation at a speed of 120 words per minute.

Origins of dictate

from Latin 'dictare', meaning 'to say often'

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Summary: dictate in Brief

The verb 'dictate' [dik-teyt] means to read or say something aloud for someone else to write down, to give orders or commands that must be obeyed, or to strongly influence or determine something. It can refer to a boss dictating a letter to a secretary or the weather dictating plans for the day. Phrases like 'dictate terms' and 'under someone's dictate' denote imposing demands or being under someone's control. The idiom 'bend to someone's dictate' means to submit to someone's orders.