Formal/Authoritative:
* Prescribe: To lay down or state authoritatively (e.g., "The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics.")
* Enjoin: To command or order (e.g., "The judge enjoined the protesters from blocking traffic.")
* Stipulate: To specify as a condition (e.g., "The contract stipulates that payment is due within 30 days.")
* Ordain: To order or decree (e.g., "The king ordained that all citizens must pay taxes.")
* Mandate: To order or require (e.g., "The government mandated the use of masks in public places.")
* Impose: To force something on someone or something (e.g., "The school imposed a new dress code.")
* Pronounce: To declare formally (e.g., "The judge pronounced the defendant guilty.")
Informal/Controlling:
* Command: To order or demand (e.g., "The captain commanded his troops to advance.")
* Direct: To give instructions or guidance (e.g., "The coach directed the players to run a new play.")
* Control: To exert influence or power over (e.g., "The CEO controls the company's finances.")
* Rule: To govern or have authority over (e.g., "The queen ruled the kingdom with an iron fist.")
* Determine: To decide or fix (e.g., "The weather determined our plans for the weekend.")
Writing/Speech:
* Read aloud: To speak words from a written text (e.g., "The teacher read the story aloud to the class.")
* Spell out: To say each letter of a word individually (e.g., "Please spell out your name.")
* Scribble: To write something quickly and carelessly (e.g., "I scribbled a note to myself.")
The best synonym for "dictate" depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.