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dictate
verb (GIVE ORDERS) /dɪkˈteɪt/
/ˈdɪk.teɪt/ Definition
C1 [I or T] to give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do, with total authority: The UN will dictate the terms of troop withdrawal from the region. [+ question word] He disagrees with the government dictating what children are taught in schools. [+ that] The tennis club rules dictate that suitable footwear must be worn on the courts.Giving orders and commands › [T] to influence something or make it necessary: The party's change of policy has been dictated by its need to win back the support of voters. [+ that] I wanted to take a year off, but my financial situation dictated that I got a job.Controlling and being in charge
(Definition of dictate verb (GIVE ORDERS) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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SMART Thesaurus: Controlling and being in charge
Synonyms and related words:
- assume verb (TAKE CONTROL)
- assumption noun
- authoritative adjective
- be (like) putty in sb's hands idiom
- be in the driving seat idiom
- commanding adjective (WITH AUTHORITY)
- cynical adjective
- have sb by the balls idiom
- have sb eating out of your hand idiom
- have sb in the palm of your hand idiom
- have/hold the whip hand idiom
- high-handed adjective
- peremptory adjective
- play God idiom
- police verb
- possess verb (CONTROL)
- predominate verb
- rein sth in phrasal verb (ACTIVITY)
- skipper verb
- tame verb
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
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