Examples of “dictate” in a Sentence

verb To say words aloud for someone else to write down.

• The executive dictated a memo to her assistant.
• He dictated the letter while pacing around the office.
• Could you dictate the address slowly so that I can write it down?

verb To give orders or lay down terms with authority, often unfairly.

• The manager tried to dictate how everyone should spend their lunch break.
• No country should be able to dictate policy to another.
• You can't just dictate what your neighbors do in their own garden.

noun An authoritative command or requirement.

• They followed the dictates of tradition without question.
• The dictates of the contract left the builders no choice about timing.
• She refused to follow the dictates of fashion and wore what she liked.