Definition of directionnext
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as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a life that seemed to lack any direction other than the mindless pursuit of empty pleasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in trend
a prevailing or general movement or inclination some older people worry about the overall direction that political discourse has taken lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of direction That loop is at high altitude (over 6,200 ft / 1,890 m) at highway speeds (65 mph / 105 km/h) in both directions on the same road. New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026 Washington is moving in the opposite direction. Justin Rosenstein, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026 Perhaps 20 or more people work intensively with little direction. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026 Roy said the series was originally on track for an American distributor — until restrictions on the show’s creative direction became a dealbreaker. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • The MorphoScan scale comes with an instruction manual and a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, but no wall brick.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Gardeners should carefully read and follow label instructions and avoid applying treatments when pollinators are most active.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In 2022, while working a day job in influencer management, an opportunity for Alali to fulfill her lifelong dream of having a pig came true.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Fiber also plays an important role in promoting satiety, which may help with appetite control and weight management.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Friends of Rubio say his stance and the underlying goal of a free Cuba has never wavered and continue to serve as his personal and political compass.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • When thoughts race, breathe slowly and trust your inner compass to organize your feelings before responding.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Eco effort Six Senses has long held the mantle for being ahead of the sustainability trend, and in Rome, the property was built to incorporate their ethos.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Just the same, the flip side of this is that baseball is notoriously fickle and often deceptive from one day to the next, with the line between coincidence and trend ever-blurry.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Coors Field has made Hall of Famers feign injuries, rookies beg for mercy, and used Lorenzen for dental floss after the Phillies devoured, in order, his curve, slider, cutter, changeup and sinker.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
  • When the populist demagogue Willie Stark orders Burden, journalist turned gumshoe, to dig up dirt on a local judge, Burden demurs; certainly there are no skeletons in the office of the good judge.
    Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Under-4s are also welcome to use the Kids Only facilities with adult supervision, and all kinds of baby products and equipment are provided so parents can travel light.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Lee is dating the girl’s mother, and the child was under his supervision at the time of the incident, according to an arrest warrant.
    Mark Price April 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Following the Ukraine invasion, the Conservatives started to turn the military spending tide around.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Typically, people are advised to stay out of the water for 48 to 72 hours after the last rainfall so the water can be flushed by the tides.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But that edict died with him, Vaez said.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Like most of her peers, Agnes follows her country’s various repressive edicts directed toward young women.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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