verb

state or order authoritatively.

the tsar’s attempts to dictate policy

give orders to,order about,order around,boss (about),boss (around),impose one’s will on,lord it over,bully,domineer,dominate,tyrannize,oppress,ride roughshod over,control,pressurize,browbeat,lay down the law,act the tin god,push about,push around,bulldoze,walk all over,call the shots,throw one’s weight about,throw one’s weight around

noun

an order or principle that must be obeyed.

the dictates of fashion

order,command,decree,edict,rule,ruling,ordinance,dictum,directive,direction,instruction,pronouncement,mandate,requirement,stipulation,injunction,ultimatum,demand,exhortation,bidding,request,charge,promulgation,ukase,pronunciamento,say-so,behest,hest,rescript,principle,guiding principle,code,canon,law,regulation,precept,axiom,maxim