Skip to main content
to decree

to decree

37 5.3
To order something officially by a government or official
  • verb
  • /dɪˈkriː/
  • Formal
translation icon : decretar
  • And so it was decreed that each year the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage, and sacrifice.
  • the government decreed
  • the president decreed
  • the court decreed

Supreme Court was going to decree this once and for all.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Then in 2000, the government decreed that all private homeowners and public establishments must install wastewater treatment apparatus.

    Academic text (2015)
  • And in honour of his birthday, His Holiness has decreed a papal pardon for all those who would be executed on this happy day.

  • Supreme Court was going to decree this once and for all.

  • Thus it has been decreed by the Holy Mother.

  • Therefore, I decree, from this day forward, there will be no more Mondays.

  • Nothing will happen to us except what God has decreed for us.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Whatever you decree on earth, whatever you forbid or allow, will be the same in heaven.

  • Then, on 20 December 1916, the government decreed that it was going to fix prices for various goods.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The elders decreed it so that everyone could be equally close to God.

  • The mayor will decree new regulations to improve public safety across the city.

Synonyms

to declare
vsto decree
  • Formal
950 3.7

To officially tell other people or officials about something

is an authoritative order or decision rather than just making a statement
to rule
vsto decree
  • Formal
525 3.7

To make an official decision, often in a court

is similar but can also mean a single written authoritative act
to impose
vsto decree
  • Formal
332 4.2

Officially order people to obey a rule or pay money

is an authoritative decision that may not force compliance or collect payments
to hold
vsto decree
  • Formal
310 6.7

To decide something in a court case

is the more general official decision not limited to judicial rulings
to proclaim
vsto decree
  • Formal
229 5.3

To officially announce something to the public

is an authoritative decision with force, not only a public announcement
to dictate
vsto decree
181 5.0

To give orders that control what other people do

is an official decision by authority rather than personal domination
to enact
vsto decree
  • Formal
172 4.7

To make a rule into law by an official vote or order

is any official authoritative decision, not only making law
to prescribe
vsto decree
  • Formal
57 4.2

State an official rule about what people must do

covers broader authoritative decisions beyond prescribing specific actions
to promulgate
vsto decree
  • Formal
24 8.0

Officially announce a new law or rule so it starts to apply

focuses on issuing the authoritative decision rather than just announcing its effect
to ordain
vsto decree
  • Formal
18 6.9

To officially order something, usually by law or authority

is a general official decision without ceremonial or religious tone
to adjudge
vsto decree
  • Formal
2 8.1

Officially decide something, often in a court

is a broader authoritative decision that applies beyond legal judgments
to issue a ukase
vsto decree
  • Formal
9.9

To give a strict official order that people must follow

is an official authoritative decision but not necessarily absolute or absolute command

Antonyms

to revoke
  • Formal
96 6.2

Officially stop something from being valid, for example a license

to rescind
  • Formal
44 7.9

Officially cancel a law, order, or agreement

Compounds

7 7.3

A court-approved agreement that ends a legal case without the accused admitting guilt

1 8.4

An official order from an emperor or ruler that people must follow

9.9

A temporary court order for divorce that becomes final if no one objects

8.1

A way of governing in which a leader makes decisions without parliament's approval

How Official

to decree
  • Formal
37 5.3
to mandate
  • Formal
169 4.9
to command
307 2.7
to order
902 1.3
to dictate
181 5.0

Surface Forms

decree infinitive
decreed past
decreed past participle
decreeing present participle
decrees third person singular

Etymology

The word decree comes from the old Latin decernere, which meant 'to decide' and is the same root as the English decide. So to decree something is to make an official decision or order by someone in power.