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
Thomas Marlier, whose recent credits include Secret Sardinia Mysteries of the Nuraghi and Fontainebleau, la vraie demeure des Rois, directs.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Mark Mylod exec produces and directs multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 June 2026
Atlanta and Parks and Recreation Hiro Murai directs five of this first season’s ten episodes, including the first three, which establish a careful balance between horror and comedy.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 June 2026
The executive order directs various high-ranking government officials to develop and maintain a classified process for assessing whether new AI programs should be designated as frontier models, also called foundation models.
—Anjana Susarla, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
But although the measure directs the Legislature to set up a structure to allow local governments to phase out homestead property taxes, that’s short of a mandatory full elimination.
—Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
The film isn't particularly strange or different for the genre, but the confidence Franklin directs with — and memorable performances from Williams and Beach — make this something to seek out.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Countering that argument, opponents of geofencing contend that because the warrant directs the tech company to search millions of users' location history, millions of people were subjected to a search despite never having done anything suspicious.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
The Immigration and Nationality Act directs the removal of aliens who illegally vote in American elections.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Mark Mylod exec produces and directs multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 June 2026
Atlanta and Parks and Recreation Hiro Murai directs five of this first season’s ten episodes, including the first three, which establish a careful balance between horror and comedy.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 June 2026
The executive order directs various high-ranking government officials to develop and maintain a classified process for assessing whether new AI programs should be designated as frontier models, also called foundation models.
—Anjana Susarla, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
But although the measure directs the Legislature to set up a structure to allow local governments to phase out homestead property taxes, that’s short of a mandatory full elimination.
—Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
The film isn't particularly strange or different for the genre, but the confidence Franklin directs with — and memorable performances from Williams and Beach — make this something to seek out.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Countering that argument, opponents of geofencing contend that because the warrant directs the tech company to search millions of users' location history, millions of people were subjected to a search despite never having done anything suspicious.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
The Immigration and Nationality Act directs the removal of aliens who illegally vote in American elections.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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Concrete walls and floors are reinforced with metal rebar, which conducts electricity and should therefore also be avoided.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
12 June 2026
-
Nikola Printz sings the title role, and the cast also includes Courtney Miller as Ruggiero, Shawnette Sulker as Morgana, and Sara Couden as Bradamante; Zachary Gordin is the director and Derek Tam conducts.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The cancer instructs the body to build super roadways (blood vessels) and homes (tumor cells) resistant to decay.—
Charles J. Dimitroff,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
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When Gustavo Dudamel instructs the Los Angeles Philharmonic to stand at a curtain call, the players stand.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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March — Mexican commander José Castro orders Frémont to leave the territory.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
-
Judge orders experts to investigate water woes In February 2025, Puerto Rico’s governor appointed Luis González Delgado as executive president of the island’s Water and Sewer Authority.—
Dánica Coto,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Milshtein previously served as adviser to COGAT, which supervises civilian policy in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
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As chief of patrol, Hein supervises the most visible aspects of the Police Department that define its image in the minds of most Chicagoans, including emergency response, crisis intervention, traffic control, routine patrol and community policing efforts.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
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By providing early warning, Vision Guard aims to give troops additional time to respond before a drone can conduct surveillance or deliver an attack.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
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Departing from traditional geographical or chronological arrangements, the show aims to take advantage of the layout of the galleries, which encircle a courtyard and allow multiple entry points.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Interestingly, the latest high-profile college sports bill, the Protect College Sports Act, perhaps smartly steers clear of college athlete employment.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
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That process shapes and steers the beam while reducing hardware complexity.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Right down to the same designer, the Princess of Wales channels her mother-in-law’s outfit from nearly 40 years ago.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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Saodimallsu Puff Short-sleeve Cardigan This undeniably adorable puff-sleeve cardigan impressively channels Anthropologie's hard-to-achieve vintage-meets-feminine-meets-modern vibe, but for only $34.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The adaptation of Georgy Demidov’s eponymous novel, set in the Soviet Union in 1937 during Stalin’s Great Purge, tells the story of a young local prosecutor and dedicated communist who starts to question his undying faith in the regime.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
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Neither tells you whether the result was any good.—
Mark Hull,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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