Thesaurus
direct
Synonyms and Antonyms of direct
1 done or working without something else coming in between <a zoologist whose works are based entirely on her direct observation of animals in the wild> <the virus was the direct cause of the disease> Synonyms firsthand, immediate, primary, unmediated Related Words clinical, empirical (also empiric); efficient, proximate; hands-on Antonyms indirect, secondhand
2 free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions <our coach is very direct, never hesitating for a moment to tell a player whenever he isn't performing up to snuff> Synonyms candid, frank, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, freehearted, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, unreserved, up-frontRelated Words artless, earnest, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), natural, real, sincere, unaffected, undesigning, unpretending, unpretentious; outgoing, uninhibited, unrestrained; vocal, vociferous; abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, gruff, sharp; impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, thoughtless, uncivil, undiplomatic, ungracious, unmannerly, unsubtleNear Antonyms inhibited, reserved, restrained; close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative; ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive; diplomatic, politic, tactful; civil, considerate, courteous, politeAntonyms dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming
3 going straight to the point clearly and firmly <clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation> Synonyms straightforward, forthright, foursquare, plain, straightRelated Words aboveboard, candid, frank, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plainspoken, unguarded, unreserved; artless, earnest, sincere; uninhibited, unrestrained; abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), curt, gruff, point-blank, sharp; impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, undiplomatic; true, truthful, veraciousNear Antonyms circumlocutory, long-winded, prolix, verbose, wordy; inhibited, reserved, restrained; civil, courteous, polite, tactful; deceitful, lying, mendacious, untruthful; erroneous, fallacious, false; ambiguous, equivocal, evasive, misleading; double-dealing, hypocritical, two-facedAntonyms circuitous, indirect, roundabout
4 free from irregularities or digressions in course <this road provides the most direct route to your destination> Synonyms straight, linear, right, straightaway, straightforwardRelated Words unbent, uncurled, untwisted; undeviating, unswervingNear Antonyms bowed, rounded; entwined, kinked, swirled, turned, turning, twined, twining, twisted, twisting, veering, warped; bending, coiled, coiling, corkscrew, curled, curling, curved, curving, looped, looping, spiral, spiraling (or spiralling), wavy, winding; meandering, weaving; devious, serpentine, sinuous; crooked, zigzag, zigzagging
direct
Synonyms and Antonyms of direct
in a direct line or course <flew direct to the coast> Synonyms dead, directly, due, plumb, plump, right, straight, straightwayNear Antonyms circuitously, deviously, veeringlyAntonyms indirectly
direct
Synonyms and Antonyms of direct
1 to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway <the aqueduct directs the water into an artificial lake> Synonyms canalize, channelize, conduct, channel, funnel, pipe, siphon (also syphon)Related Words carry, convey, transmit; concentrate, consolidate, focus
2 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 adjure, bid, boss (around), charge, command, enjoin, instruct, order, tellRelated Words ask, petition, request; beg, beseech, entreat; advise, counsel, warn; appoint, assign, authorize, commission; oversee, superintend, supervise; conduct, control, lead, manage; coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, requireNear Antonyms comply (with), follow, keep, observeAntonyms mind, obey
3 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 call, decree, dictate, command, mandate, ordain, orderRelated Words ask, petition, request; demand, requireNear Antonyms cancel, countermand, rescind
4 to look after and make decisions about <the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band> Synonyms administer, administrate, carry on, control, conduct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tendRelated Words care (for), mind, watch; lead, pilot, steer; guard, protect, safeguard; micromanage, stage-manage; codirect, comanage
5 to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal <we quickly directed our attention toward the noise coming from the rear> Synonyms bend, cast, aim, head, hold, level, pinpoint, set, trainRelated Words sight; bear, face; concentrate, focus; incline, orient, steerNear Antonyms avert, curve, deflect, detour, divert, rechannel, shunt, sidetrack
6 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 conduct, lead, guide, marshal (also marshall), pilot, route, show, steer, usherRelated Words precede; accompany, attend, chaperone (or chaperon), convoy, escort, see; control, manageNear Antonyms dog, hound, shadow, tail, tailgateAntonyms follow, trail
Learn More about direct
-
Dictionary: Definition of direct Spanish Central: Translation of direct Nglish: Translation of direct for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of direct for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up direct? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!