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dictated

dictated

5.4
Someone in charge decides something for others with no choice
  • adjective
  • /dɪkˈteɪtɪd/
translation icon : dictado
  • I think we don't realize how much of ourselves is dictated by our past.

Examples

  • The law dictated the procedures that must be followed in cases of emergency.

  • Again, the space dictated what we are able to do.

  • So suppose the government dictated what kind of car options we should have.

  • And a large part of that is dictated by your own acceptance of yourself.

  • This is being dictated by a disastrous PFI deal.

  • The team's strategy was dictated by the coach's extensive experience.

  • Many aspects of our daily routines are dictated by the schedules we follow.

Synonyms

court-ordered
vsdictated
  • Formal
17 3.7

Made by a court that people or companies must follow

applies to authority decisions in general, not only legal ones
determined
vsdictated
16 2.4

Found after careful study or testing

focuses on being set by authority rather than by analysis
regimented
vsdictated
1 6.5

Strict rules make people do the same things and limit their freedom

is about decisions made by authority rather than structured long term control
imposed
vsdictated
  • Formal
4.1

A person or group sets rules that people must follow

emphasizes decision by authority rather than the compulsory nature
prescribed
vsdictated
  • Formal
4.4

An official rule or authority sets what must be done

applies to decisions by authority beyond strict formal rules
decreed
vsdictated
  • Formal
6.9

An official order fixes a date or rule

refers to authority decisions that need not be issued as formal orders
ordained
vsdictated
  • Formal
6.3

Fixed by a rule or set by someone in charge

is used more broadly for decisions not only set by authority
enforced
vsdictated
4.4

Force makes someone do something they do not choose

points to decisions set by authority, not necessarily through force
forced
vsdictated
3.4

Done because someone makes you do it, not because you want to

involves authority decision rather than mere external pressure or necessity

Antonyms

99 3.3

Not required, so you can choose whether to have or use it

Idioms

1 8.7

Prepared while someone speaks the words and not checked by the writer, often containing mistakes

How Imposed

forced
3.4
dictated
5.4
required
  • Formal
1.4
optional
99 3.3

Surface Forms

dictated positive

Morphology

dictated = dictate (transparent) = dictate + ed

The adjective is a regular past-participial formation from the verb 'dictate' meaning 'impose or order', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Dictated comes from the root dict meaning 'say', seen in words like dictionary and dictator. Because those 'words' were often commands from someone in charge, dictated now means 'set or ordered by authority'.