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 OlloNi takes the idea in another direction by connecting that personalization to a memory system that can survive beyond the original robot. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Avoid scrubbing, and follow the grout lines in one direction with the toothbrush. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026 For more even distribution, apply half of the seed in one direction (for example, north-south) and the other half in the opposite direction (east-west). — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026 The reports will help give Wall Street and the Federal Reserve a clearer picture of inflation's direction. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 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 appeal asked that the court either excuse the juror who was allegedly refusing to follow instructions or inquire further to determine whether the juror could in fact follow the judge's instructions to correctly apply the law.
    — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The prosecution suggested that the jurors be instructed to return to the deliberations without any further instruction or voir dire.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • In addition to speech, our management of a localized fire for food, safety, and comfort is another uniquely human behavior, one that seems to have coincided with the development of complex spoken language.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • In the third volume of her Diaspora Quartet, Lee follows the Koh family from Australia to Korea to the United States as their paterfamilias John hews to his strong inner compass.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The challenge is not usually a lack of capability, but the absence of an integrated compass, alignment and feedback system.
    — Kumar Rupesh, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little became the face of the trend last year, making a 70-yarder in preseason and then a regular-season record 68-yarder.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In the 2002 midterms, Republicans again bucked the historical trend, gaining seats in both chambers following the post-9/11 political climate.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • The attack on mail ballots comes as Germany approaches a potentially historic state election that could shatter one of the taboos of its postwar political order by opening the door to a far-right government.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Some breeds are more prone to joint injuries, so take care that your pup is in good working order for a long outdoor walk.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Many renovations are complete, including the transformation of one building into shop rooms full of tools that students will use to work on real-world projects under faculty supervision.
    — Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a current CFPB staffer told ProPublica that the number of policy attorneys, who help direct supervision work and identify violations of law, had shrunk from typically between 40 and 50 lawyers down to five.
    — Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • Timing The National Weather Service said higher tides would begin Saturday but peak Monday and Tuesday, with tides topping 7 feet.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Take a breather by the beach, where days are made for lingering on golden sands, discovering hidden coves, and relaxing to the tune of the rolling Mediterranean tide.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of tide
Noun
  • Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Countless speakers left the Pale of Settlement – the territory in Eastern Europe where Jews had been granted permission to live under an edict of the Russian czars.
    — Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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