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diktat

/dɪkˈtɑt/
IPA guide

Other forms: diktats

A diktat is a regulation or rule imposed on a country that's lost a war by the country that defeated it. The Treaty of Versailles, considered to be the first diktat, was imposed on Germany after World War I.

Diktat, or "dictate" in German, was first used in 1922 to emphasize the fact that Germany had no say in negotiating the terms of post-war treaties, instead being subject to a "dictated peace." Newspapers commonly used the word during the Cold War, and it continues to be used when a nation or party dictates unfavorable rules. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been known to accuse the U.S. of using "unilateral diktat" to escalate world conflicts.

Definitions of diktat
  1. noun
    a harsh settlement imposed on a defeated party or nation
  2. noun
    an authoritative decree, command, or directive
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