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 But filmmakers sometimes lean too far in the direction of our film subjects. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 According to the study, the ice started re-expanding at this precise moment because two global forces were pulling it in opposite directions, and one of them eventually won. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026 And unfortunately, there was another part of our party that didn't choose to be responsible with their firearm and fired too closely in my direction. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Then there’s a simple equalizer with five genre presets, and a not-so-comprehensive custom option with only three sliders and 6dB of adjustment in either direction. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 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 researchers modified a capsid protein called pVIII, attaching cancer antigens to its surface by incorporating the corresponding genetic instructions into the virus.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The Photo Studio, led by a professional photographer, also offers classes and instruction on how to snap the perfect wildlife and iceberg pictures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The competition offered a demanding test of the robot’s mobility, balance, and thermal management systems.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Pharmacy benefit management businesses work on the backend, negotiating directly with drugmakers on the cost of prescription drugs.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • The emotional compass of the United Farm Workers of America for decades, the petite mother of 14 attained singular stature as a rule-breaking proto-feminist, godmother of the Chicano power movement and doyenne of American labor.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Agent 12, for example, spent most of its time forming shapes such as a compass or a clock, and figures such as a butterfly or a sailboat.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Track Pants Want to get in on the cool-girl pants trend backed by PEOPLE writers and A-listers like Jennifer Lawrence?
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Despite the recent trend favoring Republicans among previously undecided voters in the survey, all seven Democratic candidates are still viewed more favorably by independents.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • Members’ lagging caucus dues payments to the DCCC might also factor into these races, with House Democrats mulling a rules change to mandate that dues are paid in order to serve on top committees.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The plans were developed by the Department of Government Efficiency, a cost-cutting team initially overseen by billionaire Elon Musk, in response to a presidential order meant to rid the government of DEI programs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • The intervention group halted their blood sugar and blood pressure medications under medical supervision and began an intensive 800- to 900-calorie daily diet.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • After fine-tuning, the resulting model applied similar reasoning to human supervision.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • Much of the underlying tide of Tuesday’s elections stemmed from Americans’ growing frustration with the massive wealth and power being accrued by billionaires, of which Musk is the most notable example.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Polls have consistently shown Raman is heavily favored by younger voters, who tend to vote later than older people and whose late-arriving ballots are considered likely to turn the tide in her favor.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tide
Noun
  • But this exploitation of Catholic bishops who were praying for their president, not delivering papal edicts with political patinas, feels especially repulsive.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, an edict from the top came that existing attorneys should not anticipate additions to the court teams, according to one source.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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