direction

noun

də-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce direction (audio)
Definition of directionnext
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

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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

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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

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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

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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 And then there's Snif’s Notewrks Clean Getaway, which takes the fresh-laundry category in a more elevated direction. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 11 July 2026 Nike may be moving in the right direction, but the quality of the recovery matters more than the headline. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Still, no punches thrown from his direction on the way out, beyond the social-media trail that seemingly precipitated the Friday fracas with Adebayo. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026 Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said at the time that winds suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift and surround the forestry workers. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
  1. instruction
  2. management
  3. compass
  4. trend
  5. order
  6. supervision
  7. tide
  8. edict
Noun
  • The best way for passengers to reduce their risk of injury is to follow crew instructions and keep their seat belts fastened when directed.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
  • Most of the victims died while attempting to flee and ignored shelter-in-place instructions, said Antonio Sanz, president of Andalusia’s emergency services.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent regulatory priorities to the nation’s regional fishery councils, which environmentalists say reveal a direct attack on fishery management and ocean conservation.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • This necessitates a fundamental shift in corporate risk management.
    — Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • The prevailing motifs include Anglo-American boarding schools and college campuses, accoutrements with a romantic aura (billowing sleeves, melting candles), and analog artifacts (old compasses, monocles).
    — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
  • But this entailed an 800-mile journey over open ocean with only an ancient compass and the stars to guide them.
    — Terry W. Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • With so many faces coming and going, the hope is the swirl doesn't upset relationships and positive trend lines that have taken years to construct.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • The overall trend, however, remains one of long-term forest loss, particularly in tropical regions where biodiversity is highest.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • If pad thai is already your go-to order, Mama Sidas needs to be in the rotation.
    — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026
  • The judge stressed that his order should not be mistaken as an endorsement of the Department of Justice’s decision to abandon the case.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Its El Segundo location has the El Segundo Clubhouse, which the club’s website describes as a 14,000-square-foot childcare center, where kids participate in activities under supervision.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • The gore comes like a tide, shockingly for a mainstream studio wide release.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Oceanfront has long been treated as the aristocrat of waterfront living, prized for its horizon lines, lull of the tide and powerful symbolism of standing where land gives way.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of tide
Noun
  • Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of edict

Browse Nearby Words

directing
direction
directionless
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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of direction for Spanish Speakers

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