dictate

Federal laws, particularly the Privacy Act, dictate what data government agencies can collect, what it can be used for, how it can be shared, and how it must be protected.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

The California Nonprofit Integrity Act, which went into effect in 2005, says that a nonprofit board must ensure that a CEO’s pay is “just and reasonable,” but does not dictate specific numbers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Even so, Ellison acknowledged that "nobody can dictate what audiences will love."

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

“Every case is different, and the outcome of one doesn’t dictate the outcome of another,” the spokeswoman said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Since I’m letting the universe dictate my life on this Final Day of Childhood, I don’t bother waiting for another train to take me to Thirty-Fourth Street.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

By mining their trove of human DNA, Regeneron scientists discovered what he calls the “laziness gene,” which dictates whether a person is inherently sedentary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

The bulks list rather dictates what ingredients compounding pharmacies can use when mixing custom medications for patients with a specific prescription.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

The plot of “Cape Fear” dictates that this sporting tale of homicidal pettiness can only end one way.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026

There’s no law that dictates how Congress should resolve the looming Medicare financial crisis.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 15, 2026

It appears to mean serving the dictates of greed and advantage rather than those of goodness and the desire to see justice prevail in the world.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

If no one claims the prize by next Thursday, the money will go to public schools in California as dictated by the statute.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

In a Facebook post in which she also posted a letter asking to be relieved of her duties, Stefanishyna said the decision was her own and "dictated by personal circumstances".

From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026

At Aston Martin, Lance Stroll finished in 13th, ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso, their positions dictated to a degree by luck under the VSC and their divergent strategies.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Spain dictated possession for much of the afternoon while Argentina defended stubbornly, forcing the final into extra time before the breakthrough finally came.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

We sat at our desks quietly while Mrs. Backus, our teacher, dictated the spelling words we had to learn by that Friday.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

The administration has completed a framework dictating which models will be subject to federal government review before they are released publicly, a White House official said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

Some communities have strong cultural traditions dictating who should fill the caretaker role — in many cases, that’s the eldest daughter.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

Spain's use of width creates space for Lamine Yamal and enables them to generate chances, while Rodri and Pedri dominate midfield, controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

“People seem to be obsessed with now dictating what I’ll do and when?!”

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady’s attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen