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
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
Even the atmosphere of the music follows this direction — the feeling of something suspended between the sky and the ground, intimate but also infinite, like a paper world that could disappear at any moment.
—
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 21 June 2026
Their journeys will spiral in unexpected directions.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Apply a balanced, general-purpose flower fertilizer following the package directions.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
But the direction of concern is clear.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for direction
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 21 June 2026
Their journeys will spiral in unexpected directions.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Apply a balanced, general-purpose flower fertilizer following the package directions.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
But the direction of concern is clear.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
-
Follow evacuation instructions without delay.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
The findings also pointed out that no public address system was used during the flooding, that some campers became separated from their counselors for the remainder of the flooding and counselors and campers were told to shelter in place in their cabins and await further instructions.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Gautam Mukunda writes about corporate management and innovation.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
-
Union leadership said this week that the league was not formally asked by management to meet and confer over various charter proposals dealing with the LAPD, including the one focused on policy.—
Los Angeles City Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Use a geometry compass or a round object, like a dinner plate, to draw a smooth arch connecting these two lines.—
Ella Field,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2026
-
Having trekked the territory with his trusty surveyor’s compass, and in the absence of anyone else rash enough to do it, Washington volunteers to deliver an ultimatum to the encroaching French forces.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Sergeant Ashley Smith, a police officer of 16 years, published a TikTok video about the troubling criminal trend.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
23 June 2026
-
While complexion trends may be in their dewy era, there's still something to be said for a great powder foundation—especially on hot, sticky summer days.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
But as Cooper's deadline for his name to be stripped from the building neared, the Justice Department asked the federal appeals court in Washington to pause the district court's order.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
But during the third time through the order, the Orioles finally figured him out and hit back-to-back home runs.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
The threat to state insurance supervision is therefore loaded but not fired, and anyone telling you the states have already lost, or already won, is getting ahead of the facts.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, teenagers between 14 and 16 will be able to use it under direct teacher supervision.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
The area, a working-class and largely white part of Greater Manchester, is a top target for Farage’s party, but Burnham sought to turn back the tide, relying on his unique appeal as the region’s popular mayor.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
Burnham’s resounding victory gives Labor new hope of stopping the Reform tide.—
Kwiyeon Ha,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The memorandum includes a pledge by Iran to never purchase or construct nuclear weapons — a vow the Islamic Republic has made multiple times before, including by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in a religious edict issued by the late supreme leader and in the Obama-era nuclear accord.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The age of the Germanic male genius delivering edicts from on high has run its course.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
