Synonyms of direct

direct 1 of 3

verb

də-ˈrekt 

1

as in to channel

to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway

the aqueduct directs the water into an artificial lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• channel
• conduct
• funnel
• carry
• pipe
• channelize
• focus
• canalize
• siphon
• syphon
• convey
• transmit
• consolidate
• concentrate

2

as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

our tour guide directed us to wait in front of the building until she could rejoin us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• order
• instruct
• tell
• ask
• command
• enjoin
• boss (around)
• charge
• bid
• advise
• beg
• request
• require
• warn
• appoint
• adjure
• petition
• compel
• authorize
• force
• counsel
• lead
• beseech
• control
• supervise
• assign
• manage
• coerce
• conduct
• oversee
• entreat
• constrain
• commission
• oblige
• superintend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mind
• follow
• keep
• obey
• comply (with)
• observe

3

as in to request

to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority

the caretaker directed that all of the windows be closed before we left

Synonyms & Similar Words

• order
• request
• ask
• dictate
• require
• call for
• mandate
• demand
• call
• command
• decree
• ordain
• petition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cancel
• rescind
• countermand

4

as in to supervise

to look after and make decisions about

the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band

Synonyms & Similar Words

• supervise
• oversee
• operate
• manage
• control
• handle
• regulate
• conduct
• run
• govern
• guide
• keep
• tend
• administer
• protect
• carry on
• steer
• overlook
• lead
• watch over
• administrate
• preside (over)
• superintend
• steward
• watch
• safeguard
• care (for)
• mind
• pilot
• guard
• stage-manage
• codirect
• comanage
• micromanage

5

as in to aim

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal

we quickly directed our attention toward the noise coming from the rear

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aim
• cast
• set
• steer
• train
• head
• hold
• level
• focus
• bend
• pinpoint
• sight
• face
• concentrate
• orient
• bear
• incline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deflect
• divert
• avert
• curve
• shunt
• detour
• sidetrack
• rechannel

6

as in to steer

to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front

the guide directed the tour through the museum with commendable efficiency and expertise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steer
• guide
• lead
• route
• accompany
• conduct
• show
• pilot
• usher
• escort
• marshall
• precede
• marshal
• control
• manage
• see
• attend
• chaperon
• chaperone
• convoy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follow
• trail
• tail
• dog
• shadow
• hound
• tailgate

direct

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in primary

done or working without something else coming in between

a zoologist whose works are based entirely on her direct observation of animals in the wild

the virus was the direct cause of the disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

• primary
• immediate
• unmediated
• firsthand
• empiric
• clinical
• empirical
• efficient
• proximate
• hands-on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirect
• secondhand

2

as in outspoken

free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions

our coach is very direct, never hesitating for a moment to tell a player whenever he isn't performing up to snuff

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outspoken
• honest
• candid
• forthcoming
• frank
• straightforward
• vocal
• forthright
• straight
• open
• up-front
• blunt
• plain
• unreserved
• unguarded
• real
• out-front
• plainspoken
• unaffected
• sincere
• earnest
• outgoing
• openhearted
• free-spoken
• freehearted
• guileless
• uninhibited
• naive
• artless
• ingenuous
• naïve
• natural
• unpretentious
• vociferous
• unrestrained
• curt
• abrupt
• unpretending
• foursquare
• innocent
• brusque
• rude
• gruff
• undesigning
• bluff
• unsubtle
• sharp
• thoughtless
• tactless
• impertinent
• crusty
• brusk
• impolite
• inconsiderate
• ungracious
• undiplomatic
• uncivil
• unmannerly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrained
• inhibited
• reserved
• quiet
• ambiguous
• laconic
• reticent
• uncandid
• circuitous
• evasive
• unforthcoming
• diplomatic
• taciturn
• dissembling
• tactful
• equivocal
• uncommunicative
• civil
• polite
• courteous
• politic
• considerate
• tight-lipped
• close-mouthed

3

as in straightforward

going straight to the point clearly and firmly

clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• straightforward
• straight
• honest
• blunt
• plain
• candid
• forthright
• frank
• sincere
• earnest
• true
• outspoken
• open
• sharp
• unreserved
• unguarded
• uninhibited
• curt
• abrupt
• brusque
• artless
• plainspoken
• foursquare
• truthful
• unrestrained
• bluff
• aboveboard
• point-blank
• gruff
• openhearted
• free-spoken
• tactless
• brusk
• impolite
• rude
• inconsiderate
• undiplomatic
• veracious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirect
• circuitous
• roundabout
• civil
• restrained
• inhibited
• wordy
• verbose
• prolix
• polite
• courteous
• reserved
• tactful
• erroneous
• lying
• circumlocutory
• false
• deceitful
• long-winded
• ambiguous
• untruthful
• misleading
• mendacious
• evasive
• fallacious
• equivocal
• hypocritical
• double-dealing
• two-faced

4

as in linear

free from irregularities or digressions in course

this road provides the most direct route to your destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

• linear
• straight
• straightforward
• right
• straightaway
• unswerving
• undeviating
• unbent
• untwisted
• uncurled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rounded
• twisting
• twisted
• curved
• turning
• bowed
• winding
• turned
• spiral
• warped
• bending
• spiraling
• curving
• coiled
• wavy
• looping
• looped
• curled
• kinked
• entwined
• coiling
• swirled
• twined
• curling
• serpentine
• sinuous
• weaving
• spiralling
• veering
• twining
• devious
• corkscrew
• crooked
• meandering
• zigzag
• zigzagging

direct

3 of 3

adverb

as in straight

in a direct line or course

flew direct to the coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• straight
• right
• directly
• due
• as the crow flies
• dead
• straightway
• plumb
• plump

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirectly
• circuitously
• deviously
• veeringly

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb direct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of direct are bid, charge, command, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

When would bid be a good substitute for direct?

The synonyms bid and direct are sometimes interchangeable, but bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another, in the sense of direct?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of direct?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

When might enjoin be a better fit than direct?

While the synonyms enjoin and direct are close in meaning, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When is it sensible to use order instead of direct?

While in some cases nearly identical to direct, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of direct

Verb

Those organizations then directed nearly all the money to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee controlled by Uthmeier dedicated to defeating last year’s recreational marijuana ballot initiative. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

Sources tell Deadline that Howard has come on to direct the Amazon MGM Studios drama Alone at Dawn, with Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway set to star. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Homo sapiens had already evolved, but weren’t the only members of our genus on the planet, as our direct ancestors were joined by the neanderthals, the denisovians, and possibly by the final surviving members of Homo erectus. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025

There's special interest in the effect of the National Guard, which don't have direct policing powers. —Martin Kaste, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025

Adverb

Most New York rappers didn’t speak direct. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Once Mercury goes direct on Aug. 11, the awkward conversations or delays with friends or teammates start to smooth out. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 July 2025