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edict

edict

27 7.2
An official order from a person or government in power that people must follow
  • noun
  • /ˈiːdɪkt/
  • Formal
: edicto
  • However, the population's reluctance to comply with its edicts is a sign of its diminished legitimacy.
  • issued edicts
  • religious edict
  • edict or decree

Because you would have far fewer police enforcing nonsensical edicts from sociopathic politicians.

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Examples

  • Ten years later, the Local Government Edict redefined the role of the chiefs.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The government's new edict mandated that all citizens wear masks in public places during the pandemic.

  • Will you exercise the final edict?

  • So when you got that edict from your doctor, how did you translate that into action?

  • The second edict, Your Majesty.

  • Facing severe international pressure, the Taliban recently issued an edict banning drug production.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Governments could make announcements, declare edicts, and proclaim policies by posting or circulating printed sheets.

    Academic text (1990)
  • State legislatures throughout the country provided legislative edicts regulating all persons in American society who had traceable African parentage.

    Academic text (1994)
  • After much deliberation, the king issued an edict that transformed the legal system of the kingdom.

  • The teacher's edict on homework deadlines was clear: all assignments must be submitted by Friday.

Synonyms

order
vsedict
∞ 3.0

An instruction from someone in power that must be followed

is often a public proclamation rather than a direct instruction
mandate
vsedict
  • Formal
269 5.3

An official paper that tells a person or group to do something

is a public authoritative announcement rather than a document empowering action
commandment
vsedict
142 6.7

An important rule given by a religious or moral leader

is a public authoritative announcement from secular or official authorities rather than moral rules
directive
vsedict
  • Formal
105 6.1

An official instruction from a government or organization

is a public declaration with legal weight rather than only guidance
ordinance
vsedict
  • Formal
91 6.7

An official rule made by a local government

is a public authoritative announcement rather than specifically a local law
decree
vsedict
  • Formal
69 5.7

An official written order from a court or government that must be followed

is a general authoritative proclamation that may not be a court judgment
proclamation
vsedict
  • Formal
61 5.5

An official public announcement by a government or leader that tells people something important

is similar but may carry clearer legal force rather than only announcing
fiat
vsedict
  • Formal
35 8.5

An official order that a government or person in power gives

is a public authoritative announcement that may be longer and formal
pronouncement
vsedict
  • Formal
33 7.2

A statement that a person in power announces to the public

is often a commanding public order with possible legal force rather than just a statement
injunction
vsedict
  • Formal
4 7.7

A clear order that someone in charge gives, like a teacher or parent

is a public authoritative statement rather than a focused legal restriction
dictation
vsedict
4 4.8

An order given by a person in authority

is a public proclamation designed to announce policy rather than give direct instructions
diktat
vsedict
  • Literature
1 9.4

A strict order given by people in power without asking others

is an authoritative proclamation that does not imply lack of agreement
rescript
vsedict
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official written order or reply from an authority like a court

is a public proclamation aimed at the population rather than a written reply
imperial decree
vsedict
  • Formal
1 8.4

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

is issued by any authority rather than only a sovereign ruler
decretum
vsedict
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A formal official order given by a church or court

is broader, used for public authoritative announcements beyond those traditions
ordainment
vsedict
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An official rule made by a ruler or council

is the modern public authoritative announcement rather than an archaic form
mandatum
vsedict
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A formal order from an official used in law or religion

is broader, serving as a public authoritative proclamation in many settings
bando
vsedict
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A public notice from authorities announcing a rule

is a general authoritative announcement not limited to historical usage

How Authoritative

edict
  • Formal
27 7.2
order
∞ 3.0
instruction
500 1.2
recommendation
480 2.5
suggestion
602 1.4

Surface Forms

edict singular
edicts plural

Etymology

Edict comes from the Latin word dicere meaning 'to say', and you can see the same root in dictate and dictionary. An edict was originally a 'said' command from someone in power, so it now means an official order.