Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Determined or decided upon by an authority: Something that is "dictated" is established, set, or imposed by a person or group in a position of power or control, leaving little or no room for negotiation or choice.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The company's new policies were not discussed; they were simply dictated by the new CEO.
  • The peace treaty included dictated terms that the defeated nation had to accept.
  • The deadline for the project was dictated by the client, not by our team's schedule.

Advanced Usage

• "dictated by": This is the most common construction, used to specify the source of the authority or the determining factor.
  • The design of the building was dictated by the need for energy efficiency.
  • His every move was dictated by the strict rules of the institution.

Variants and Related Words

• Dictate (verb): To state or order something authoritatively.
  • The general will dictate the terms of the ceasefire.
• Dictation (noun): The action of saying words aloud for someone else to write down, or something that is dictated.
  • The secretary took dictation during the meeting.
• Dictator (noun): A ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained control by force.
  • The dictator dictated all aspects of public life.

Synonyms

• Decreed: Ordered by an official authority.
• Imposed: Forced something to be accepted or put in place.
• Prescribed: Authoritatively recommended or set down as a rule.
• Ordinanced: Ordered or commanded by authority.

Antonyms

• Negotiated: Discussed to reach an agreement.
• Collaborative: Produced by working together.
• Voluntary: Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

Related Phrases

• Dictated terms: Conditions that are imposed without consultation.
  • The victors offered only dictated terms of surrender.
• Dictated by circumstances: Controlled or forced by the situation.
  • Our quick departure was dictated by circumstances beyond our control.

Adjective

1. determined or decided upon as by an authority
   • date and place are already determined
   • the dictated terms of surrender
   • the time set for the launching