1
as in to channel
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway
the aqueduct directs the water into an artificial lake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to order
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
our tour guide directed us to wait in front of the building until she could rejoin us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to request
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority
the caretaker directed that all of the windows be closed before we left
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to supervise
to look after and make decisions about
the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
we quickly directed our attention toward the noise coming from the rear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
the guide directed the tour through the museum with commendable efficiency and expertise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in primary
done or working without something else coming in between
a zoologist whose works are based entirely on her direct observation of animals in the wild the virus was the direct cause of the disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
our coach is very direct, never hesitating for a moment to tell a player whenever he isn't performing up to snuff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
this road provides the most direct route to your destination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in straight
in a direct line or course
flew direct to the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of direct
Lars Brandle, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
The 106-minute documentary directed and produced by Swift takes place at Aaron Dessner's Long Pond Studio in the forested area of Hudson Valley, New York.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In the latest evidence of the direct relationship between sleep and health, researchers have found that chronic insomnia can significantly increase dementia risk.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Laura Dannen Redman, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
Those eager to see a gol olimpico — a goal scored direct from a corner — at this tournament will have to wait a little longer.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for direct
Verb
The album was accompanied by a musical film written and co-directed by Cyrus that premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and then played in theaters for one-night-only in June before moving to streaming on Hulu.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
The 106-minute documentary directed and produced by Swift takes place at Aaron Dessner's Long Pond Studio in the forested area of Hudson Valley, New York.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
As the direct result of Allen's lobbying—testifying at community hearings, providing public comment and providing evidence for a class action lawsuit against Saint-Gobain for its neglect—the Merrimack factory was shut down in May 2024.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In the latest evidence of the direct relationship between sleep and health, researchers have found that chronic insomnia can significantly increase dementia risk.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
United now flies direct from San Francisco to the capital city, San José.
—Laura Dannen Redman, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
Those eager to see a gol olimpico — a goal scored direct from a corner — at this tournament will have to wait a little longer.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for direct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direct
Verb
-
In the days after the killing of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist, the president has sought to channel conservative anger into efforts to go after his rivals.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
-
America seems unlikely to be made great again by the demagogues of white nationalism, who cannot help but channel fury over irreversible decline at those who have been working hard, through either literal or spiritual immigration, to become American.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The next step can be ordering imaging of your liver like an ultrasound or CT to look for evidence of abnormalities like fat accumulation in your liver.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The organization, a private nonprofit governing and promoting school sports events in the state, is not a defendant in the suit, but was ordered to provide extensive information in a 23-point list of requests included in the subpoena.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
During the grand jury investigation of the county’s jail deaths, Flores alleges in her lawsuit, jurors requested to speak with her.—
Christopher Damien,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Several outside medical groups in attendance requested that the voting topics be shared to have transparency.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Vicencio’s criminal history in the county outlines struggles with mental health, and legal trouble over gun possession; he was supervised under the court’s mental-health treatment division for much of 2022.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
After that, the rtw was designed by a team supervised by managing director Georgina Brandolini.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Anchored in two of the city’s most iconic venues —Pepper Place and the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark — Southbound aims to do more than feed a crowd.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The drone, according to Defense Express, aimed at the 200-kilowatt radio receiver at the heart of the telescope.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Head coach Lane Kiffin steered Ole Miss to a 41-35 victory over Arkansas one week after navigating a 30-23 triumph against Kentucky.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Jack Fabiano rushed for four touchdowns and a two-point conversion to steer Masconomet to a 43-22 win over North Andover.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The game’s primary goal is to shed light on the struggles of being forced into a refugee camp.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The reason for the Fed’s tentative steps is its two primary and potentially clashing mandates — maximum sustainable employment and price stability.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kirk, an outspoken and devout protestant Christian, was supposedly considering Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy around the time of his death, in the telling of some online.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Terrion is an outspoken person.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direct. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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