1
as in conducts
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 instructs
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 orders
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 supervises
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 aims
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 steers
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 directs
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer for the UK version.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
Those could include rising costs and uncertainty about the business environment as well as changes within corporations about who directs decisions about charitable giving.
—Thalia Beaty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The Taxpayer Advocate Service also directs lower-income taxpayers and people who speak English as a second language to Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, which are separate from the IRS and offer free or low-cost help with tax disputes.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs, and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The new economic development plan directs the city to find ways to simplify and streamline permitting and to help companies navigate the system.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
On the other hand, there are those who would argue that our government should have full access to the best technology available, especially since China and other rival countries can ensure that companies in their countries comply with whatever their political leadership directs.
—Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2026
That order directs the Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General to ensure ticket scalpers comply with the IRS' tax collections, and directs the Federal Trade Commission to work with the Attorney General to ensure competition laws are enforced.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
Those could include rising costs and uncertainty about the business environment as well as changes within corporations about who directs decisions about charitable giving.
—Thalia Beaty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The Taxpayer Advocate Service also directs lower-income taxpayers and people who speak English as a second language to Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, which are separate from the IRS and offer free or low-cost help with tax disputes.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs, and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The new economic development plan directs the city to find ways to simplify and streamline permitting and to help companies navigate the system.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
On the other hand, there are those who would argue that our government should have full access to the best technology available, especially since China and other rival countries can ensure that companies in their countries comply with whatever their political leadership directs.
—Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2026
That order directs the Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General to ensure ticket scalpers comply with the IRS' tax collections, and directs the Federal Trade Commission to work with the Attorney General to ensure competition laws are enforced.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
Katherine McKenzie, the director of the Yale Center for Asylum Medicine, which conducts physical evaluations of people who are applying for asylum, said her organization typically encounters one or two cases a year of female genital mutilation.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Security company’s statement Lee Ratliff, assistant chief at Professional Security Services, said in a phone call Thursday, after publication of this story, that the security guard in the video was moved from her post at the transportation center while the company conducts investigations.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The memo also instructs department heads to limit discretionary spending until further notice.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Stone said parts of the Bible instructs people how to shave.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jacob Elordi walks up to the bar with his arm around his mom and orders tequila on the rocks with a lime.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Princess Kate brewed her husband a cappuccino sans latte art, but Prince William usually orders a decaf drink.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to articles 57 and 110 of the constitution, the supreme leader sets domestic and foreign policy and supervises all branches of the government, including the executive, legislature and judiciary.—
Eric Lob,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Executive Office for Immigration Review, which supervises the court, didn’t return a request for comment by press time.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The fourth measure to be endorsed Wednesday aims to increase San Diego’s hotel tax revenue, but at the expense of online travel companies like Expedia instead of at the expense of tourists.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Air Force now aims to translate those lessons into a portable, lethal system.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Despite recent improvements, the system still steers capital toward expensive new buildings while existing affordable housing converts to market rate.—
Rafael Leon,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gretchen Walkwell does something similar in Lexicon of Future Selves, a collection that channels characters from films like The Matrix, Avatar, and Blade Runner to reflect on the volatility of identity in the face of an uncertain world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The rooms Each room here channels a new type of contemporary African design—there are no throwaway uses of Ankara cloth to lazily signal to the continent.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But something tells us that mankind will figure this out, too.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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Countries like China and India rely on this gas, and this is already disrupting fertilizer and plastic production, NPR's Aya Batrawy tells Up First.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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