1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decree
an order publicly issued by an authority
a directive issued by the archbishop that is to be read during Sunday services at every parish
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in memorandum
a written communication giving information or directions
a growing stack of unread directives from the company's senior vice president
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directive
Sable has been accused of repeatedly ignoring the directives of state and local officials, as well as committing criminal acts related to California environmental and coastal laws.
—
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The new federal directive doesn’t mention crime, and appears largely focused on IDOT’s traditional role of overseeing rail safety from an infrastructure and accident perspective, a point emphasized by the governor’s office.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In addition, individual countries' civil aviation authorities, including the UAE's GCCA, are obliged to issue detailed directives known as Notam (Notice to Airmen).
—Clare Dight, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
This action followed a directive limiting the types of flags allowed at National Park sites.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directive
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The new federal directive doesn’t mention crime, and appears largely focused on IDOT’s traditional role of overseeing rail safety from an infrastructure and accident perspective, a point emphasized by the governor’s office.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In addition, individual countries' civil aviation authorities, including the UAE's GCCA, are obliged to issue detailed directives known as Notam (Notice to Airmen).
—Clare Dight, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
This action followed a directive limiting the types of flags allowed at National Park sites.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
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More than 7 million student loan borrowers who have been enrolled in a Biden-era repayment plan will receive notices beginning Friday with instructions to seek a new plan to repay their debt, the Education Department said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The candy bars, which are likely to be circulated in unofficial sales channels across Europe, can be identified by a unique batch code assigned to individual bars and when scanned would relay instructions on how to contact KitKat, the company said.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Certain signs, such as the recent decree by the municipal authorities of Damascus confining the sale of alcohol to Christian neighborhoods, are ominous.—
Alvaro Vargas Llosa,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Noboa last year issued a decree blacklisting Hezbollah and Palestinian militant group Hamas as terrorist organizations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The two other occupants of the Nissan have not been identified by police, according to a sentencing memorandum filed in Jackson County court Monday in reference to Williams’ case.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
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In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors argued that between January 2010 and April 2013 Snyder executed a scheme to obstruct the IRS’s collection of his unpaid business and personal taxes.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Also, an edict was issued directing people to use the bathroom of their gender assigned at birth, Brinkmeyer said.—
Vernal Coleman,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
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In 2003, as the United States invaded Iraq over false claims that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, Khamenei issued a religious edict — a fatwa — declaring nuclear weapons to be forbidden under Islam.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Senate parliamentarian's rulings are usually the final word on reconciliation.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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To be effective, copyright law must protect creators and markets from harmful infringement and policymakers should look closely at the impact of this ruling.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Others observed a notice posted in the Federal Register, waiving 28 federal laws and regulations to allow for the construction of a physical barrier in the Big Bend Sector.—
Lexi Salazar,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Dileep stopped to show me the poster for his group’s upcoming production on a notice board nearby.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The order ensures that a lawyer can show up to meet with their client at the site during visitation hours every day of the week without first obtaining permission.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Banks are required by law to report suspicious activity in customer accounts to federal authorities in order to flag potential criminal activity, such as money laundering or fraud.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The decisions are largely coming amid record-breaking heat and a winter that had very low snow levels in both the Rocky Mountains and the Front Range.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Competing for a major Army contract The X3’s unveiling comes ahead of an important procurement decision.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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