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   dictate

   verb

   • 1. state or order authoritatively: "the tsar's attempts to dictate policy" Similar give orders toorder aboutorder aroundboss (about)boss (around)impose one's will onlord it overbullydomineerdominatetyrannizeoppressride roughshod overcontrolpressurizebrowbeatlay down the lawact the tin godinformal:push aboutpush aroundbulldozewalk all overcall the shotsthrow one's weight aboutthrow one's weight around
   • ▪ control or decisively affect; determine: "choice is often dictated by availability" Similar prescribelay downimposeset downset outordercommanddecreeordaindirectpronounceenjoinpromulgatedeterminedecideinfluenceaffectchoosecontrolgovern
   • 2. say or read aloud (words to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape): "I have four letters to dictate" Similar say aloudutterspeakread outread aloudreciteOpposite write

   noun

   • 1. an order or principle that must be obeyed: "the dictates of fashion" Similar ordercommanddecreeedictrulerulingordinancedictumdirectivedirectioninstructionpronouncementmandaterequirementstipulationinjunctionultimatumdemandexhortationbiddingrequestchargepromulgationukasepronunciamentoinformal:say-soliterary:behestarchaic:hestrare:rescriptprincipleguiding principlecodecanonlawruleregulationpreceptdictumaxiommaxim

   Word Origin late 16th century (in dictate (sense 2 of the verb)): from Latin dictat- ‘dictated’, from the verb dictare.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • D

     2

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

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