dictate

If something does this, it decides what must happen or what is possible.

• Cost dictates our choice of materials.
• The room's size dictated the seating plan.
• Their needs will dictate how we spend the money.

How to use it: dictate that… (The weather dictated that we stay indoors.)

Similar words: determine, govern

Common phrases: dictate the pace, dictate the outcome, dictate our choice

To say words aloud so someone else can write them down.

• Please dictate the address slowly.
• She dictated a letter to her assistant.
• Can I dictate my notes into your phone?

How to use it: dictate something to someone (He dictated a short message to his assistant.)

Common phrases: dictate a letter, dictate some notes, dictate a message

To tell someone what to do, expecting them to obey.

• You cannot dictate my every move.
• The winners dictated the terms of peace.
• Stop dictating to everyone!

How to use it: dictate to someone (She refuses to let her brother dictate to her.); dictate what someone does (You cannot dictate what your neighbors do.)

Similar words: command, order, control

Common phrases: dictate terms, dictate to someone, dictate the rules

An order or rule that tells you what you must do.

• They refused to obey the king's dictates.
• He followed the dictates of his faith.
• Each new dictate restricted their freedom further.

How to use it: the dictates of something (She followed the dictates of her conscience.)

Similar words: order, command, decree

Common phrases: a moral dictate, a royal dictate, a religious dictate