diktat

American  

[dik-taht] / dɪkˈtɑt /

noun

1. a harsh, punitive settlement or decree imposed unilaterally on a defeated nation, political party, etc.

2. any decree or authoritative statement.

   The Board of Education issued a diktat that all employees must report an hour earlier.

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diktat British  

/ ˈdɪktɑːt /

noun

1. decree or settlement imposed, esp by a ruler or a victorious nation

2. a dogmatic statement

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Etymology

Origin of diktat

1930–35; < German: literally, something dictated < Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to dictate

Example Sentences

But on Sunday military chief Min Aung Hlaing -- who has ruled by diktat for the past five years -- said the armed forces could be trusted to hand back power to a civilian-led government.

From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025

Making matters worse was the appearance of an American diktat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

If enforced, this diktat will likely ensnare some air traffic controllers from towers that can hardly afford to lose them.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2025

Rule by diktat was not the image he wanted to project during his second term.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2023

The Western powers, refusing to accept Russia's diktat on Turkey, met in Berlin the following year to consider revision of the Treaty of San Stefano.

From Area Handbook for Albania by Elpern, Sarah Jane