decree

Binding royal pronouncement

A decree is an official order or decision, especially one issued by a ruler, court, or other authority.

The word implies top-down power—something imposed rather than negotiated: The king issued a decree banning public assembly.

Courts issue decrees in divorce and other civil matters.

To decree is to order authoritatively: The government decreed a national day of mourning.

proclamation

edict

Authoritative public command

  • fiatAuthoritative official decree
  • dictumAuthoritative formal statement
  • ukaseAuthoritative imperial proclamation

bull · rescript · diktat · pronunciamento · pronouncement · declaration · announcement · promulgation · manifesto · communique

legal

statute

Enacted written rule

law · regulation · bylaw · injunction · act · bill · codification · jurisprudence · ratification · charter

authority

command

Authoritative instruction given

  • orderMethodical arrangement or request
  • dictateGive orders imperiously
  • rulingFormal legal determination

decision · determination · judgment call · word · say-so · will · behest · bidding · instruction · charge

action

ordain

Confer clerical authority

command · enjoin · prescribe · rule · determine · establish · enact · impose · dictate · issue

Categories
Opposites
authority and binding force

decreepetition

Formal written appeal

plea · suggestion · request · entreaty · appeal

directness and explicitness

decreehint

Indirect suggestion

suggestion · insinuation · implication · nudge · intimation

action vs. revocation

decreerescind

Formally cancel or withdraw

countermand · revoke · repeal · annul · nullify

Phrases
Family

decree absolute, decreed, decrees, decreeing

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G