as in overseeing
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Dissimilar Words
as in commanding
Related Words
1
as in channeling
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
2
as in instructing
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 ordering
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 supervising
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 aiming
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 guiding
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directing
Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gosling will no longer star in the next film from the Oscar-winning directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Variety has confirmed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Alongside directing, Laxe also co-wrote the screenplay with Santiago Fillol.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson, who won for producing, directing, and writing One Battle After Another, was sitting on 14 career nominations without a win going into the ceremony.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Aperture’s Goldworm is producing Hannibal at Netflix with Denzel Washington attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing and Alpha at Netflix with Taron Egerton starring.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The deputy chief directs area commanders in planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating all investigative efforts under their geographic area of responsibility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
By directing these air streams precisely, the aircraft can adjust pitch, roll, and yaw.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Serkis, who is directing the movie and returning in front of the camera as Gollum, confirmed in an interview with ScreenRant that Aragorn will be recast in the next Middle-earth film tentpole.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
Igor is currently directing his debut feature documentary.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The project has gone largely unreported despite Travolta having expressed interest in writing and directing an adaptation over the years.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
In a motion, the state requested an order directing defense attorneys not to mention in the trial’s guilt-innocence phase that Horner has Asperger’s, autism, bipolar or multiple personality disorder, and not to refer to a civil settlement of a lawsuit Athena’s parents reached with FedEx.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Because this is an actor who’s directing, and he’s never directed before.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Decades of city life had calcified the tension in my bones, the chatter in my mind directing me to do more, buy more, and be more.
—Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
The controversy may have negatively impacted Best Actor Oscar chances for his performance in Josh Safdie’s solo directing effort, Marty Supreme.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gosling will no longer star in the next film from the Oscar-winning directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Variety has confirmed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Alongside directing, Laxe also co-wrote the screenplay with Santiago Fillol.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson, who won for producing, directing, and writing One Battle After Another, was sitting on 14 career nominations without a win going into the ceremony.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Aperture’s Goldworm is producing Hannibal at Netflix with Denzel Washington attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing and Alpha at Netflix with Taron Egerton starring.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The deputy chief directs area commanders in planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating all investigative efforts under their geographic area of responsibility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Look for signage directing you to an ADA shuttle that will be available to pick you up at the Miami Intermodal Center and drop you off at Nu Stadium.
—Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
By directing these air streams precisely, the aircraft can adjust pitch, roll, and yaw.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Serkis, who is directing the movie and returning in front of the camera as Gollum, confirmed in an interview with ScreenRant that Aragorn will be recast in the next Middle-earth film tentpole.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
Igor is currently directing his debut feature documentary.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The project has gone largely unreported despite Travolta having expressed interest in writing and directing an adaptation over the years.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
In a motion, the state requested an order directing defense attorneys not to mention in the trial’s guilt-innocence phase that Horner has Asperger’s, autism, bipolar or multiple personality disorder, and not to refer to a civil settlement of a lawsuit Athena’s parents reached with FedEx.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Because this is an actor who’s directing, and he’s never directed before.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Decades of city life had calcified the tension in my bones, the chatter in my mind directing me to do more, buy more, and be more.
—Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
The strike was a culmination of a dominant first 30 minutes from Summit FC, which held long, commanding spells of possession to set the tone.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
As with Casemiro, the 33-year-old defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, but this was another commanding display to strengthen his hand in talks over a new one, albeit potentially on reduced terms.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All in all, channeling their inner Ian Curtis looks good on the duo.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Frisco Wakeland girls soccer team is channeling grief into purpose this season, honoring their teammate after her tragic death while making a powerful run at another state title.—
Johnny Resendiz,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ahead of the challenge, the players met at a beach and read a note instructing them to find an advantage that would grant one player power, leading to an immediate and rampant scramble through the island.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
LeVota did implement a cap on commercial properties by instructing county staff to manually adjust the values of more than 6,200 spaces.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This film is about the government ordering the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies to maximize economic productivity.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The case is a rare example of a judge ordering a person’s return to the United States after being deported, said Talia Inlender, deputy director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At that hearing, Alex Adams, supervising deputy district attorney for the juvenile justice unit in the District Attorney’s Office, informed the judge of their motion to transfer the defendant to adult criminal court for prosecution.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The film brings together leading creative talents from 12 countries, including South Korea, with key contributors such as animation supervisor Jae Hyung Kim (Toy Story 4, Inside Out), supervising producer David Lipman (Shrek franchise) and production designer Marcin Jakubowski (Klaus).—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With the Great Tang, BYD is aiming to capture a meaningful share of this fast-growing segment by combining long-range electrification, advanced chassis technologies, and a diverse mix of powertrain options.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The space agency is aiming for a moon landing by two astronauts near the lunar south pole in 2028.—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He is moved by Nelson’s music and lyrics, but mostly, Nelson provides a guiding light for Crockett’s own navigation of Nashville and the larger music business.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That experience introduced mo‘o—continuity, succession—as a guiding thread for the triennial, reminding me that everything exists in relation and within long lineages of care.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
New Delhi on Tuesday relaxed rules for investments from countries sharing a land border with India, allowing automatic approval for non-controlling ownership of up to 10%, subject to compliance requirements.—
Shruti Srivastava,
Bloomberg,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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