1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
we were given very specific directions for the first part of the exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
working under the close direction of the engineering supervisor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
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Recent Examples of direction
Then run the dishwasher according to our directions, first with vinegar to cut through grease and soap scum, then with baking soda to neutralize smells.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
When some of your books have been adapted to film or television, the plots have often gone off in whole different directions.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Immediately after Game 5 ended fireworks were going off on my block and, as the Knicks received the trophy, continued to be heard from various directions in the distance.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 June 2026
The sidewalks, unfortunately, are not equipped with stadium-style seating to accommodate many rows of looking in the same direction.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for direction
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
When some of your books have been adapted to film or television, the plots have often gone off in whole different directions.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Immediately after Game 5 ended fireworks were going off on my block and, as the Knicks received the trophy, continued to be heard from various directions in the distance.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 June 2026
The sidewalks, unfortunately, are not equipped with stadium-style seating to accommodate many rows of looking in the same direction.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
-
Authorities also urged anyone celebrating to follow NYPD instructions.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Before cleaning your oven with vinegar, consult the manufacturer's instructions.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Effective treatment of obesity could have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond just weight management, affecting metabolic parameters such as heart disease and even cancer.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Earlier this week, CNBC reported that more than 100 current and former SpaceX employees with combined assets between $1 billion and $5 billion created a group to negotiate lower-than-standard fees with wealth management firms.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The problem is that these estimates gradually accumulate errors over time, causing the navigational equivalent of a slowly drifting compass.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 June 2026
-
Today’s mothers are expected to be both hyperrational project managers — scheduling enrichment, monitoring nutrition, tracking developmental milestones — and deeply intuitive caregivers, continuously consulting their emotional compass for guidance about their children and themselves.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Information across those categories was weighted and cross-referenced with data from global organizations like World Bank, IMF, OECD, and Global Peace Index, as well as proprietary trends data from Henley & Partners.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
Wellness retreats are one of 2026’s biggest luxury travel trends, but a getaway built around yoga, hot springs or meditation does not have to drain your savings.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
But, to be eligible for a green card, her deportation case would have to be reopened in immigration court so her removal order is nullified.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
That order has been faltering, flouted repeatedly by the powerful who have faced no consequences for aggression, leaving the world overall more dangerous for everyone else.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Work is continuing under court supervision.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2026
-
They were released later with ankle monitors and placed under an intensive supervision program requiring frequent check-ins at an ICE office in Portland.—
Carol Rose Little,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Its backers anticipated the early vote would not break their way, but ballots cast on Election Day would turn the tide.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Ukraine’s use of cutting edge drone technology is turning the tide in the war with Russia.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Under the shadow of a supreme leader who dictates key decisions, and cunning politicians maneuvering for power, the Iranian presidency has over the past two years been reduced to little more than administering the edicts imposed from above.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
While that edict seems antiquated with the realities of the House settlement, the settlement doesn’t nullify or supersede appellate precedent.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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