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
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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
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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
While the raids are following legal directives from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building.
—
Andrew Stanton
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Students and their college programs have been struggling with how to address the ever-fluctuating directives.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
Hegseth has posted numerous videos of his morning workouts with troops or of himself signing directives to purge diversity and equity programs and online content from the military.
—Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The directive cited federal authority to ensure the continuity of government functions, a justification reminiscent of Cold War-era civil unrest crackdowns, but without clear precedent in a non-insurrection context.
—Nik Popli, Time, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Andrew Stanton
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Students and their college programs have been struggling with how to address the ever-fluctuating directives.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
Hegseth has posted numerous videos of his morning workouts with troops or of himself signing directives to purge diversity and equity programs and online content from the military.
—Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The directive cited federal authority to ensure the continuity of government functions, a justification reminiscent of Cold War-era civil unrest crackdowns, but without clear precedent in a non-insurrection context.
—Nik Popli, Time, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
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What the data show The crime rate in CMS increased after the COVID-19 pandemic when students returned to in-person instruction.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
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Earlier instructions to stop antibiotics were premature, and a longer course was necessary.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The landscape was further muddled by the CDC announcing that the Covid-19 vaccines would remain on the childhood immunization schedule, contradicting RFK Jr.’s decree.—
Shreyas Teegala,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 June 2025
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In 2022, the war’s early months, Zelenskyy repeatedly called for a personal meeting with the Russian president but was rebuffed, and eventually enacted a decree declaring that holding negotiations with Putin had become impossible.—
SAMYA KULLAB,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2025
Noun
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The memorandum of coverage for the general liability policy PRISM issued the city includes 28 separate exclusions and dozens of sub-exclusions, at least some of which appear to allow the insurer to limit or avoid paying damages.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
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According to a sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs overpaid Herbert $344,040 based on his false statements.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Ball State University and Ivy Tech Community College have already eliminated DEI programs in response to GOP edicts.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
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However, in keeping with a new edict from the chancellor and his new government, tangible details of that deal were not forthcoming.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Under Iran's constitution, the Supreme Leader must be a male Shiite cleric known for piety, political wisdom, and jurisprudential authority—typically a Mujtahid, recognized by peers as qualified to issue religious rulings.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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Among the biggest developments was a ruling against language to prevent immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents from receiving food assistance in accordance with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often referred to as food stamps.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
Noun
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However, some of those staffers received layoff notices on Friday, journalists there said.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
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Her brave actions and quick thinking triggered the notice to public safety officials that a politically motivated act was potentially underway.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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But MacDonough found that provision also out of order, as well as one that would have prevented undocumented migrants from receiving assistance under the program.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
23 June 2025
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Plus, app orders over $150 automatically ship express—no extra steps needed.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Where fans sit is just one of many game day operations decisions made with TV in mind.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
17 June 2025
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In 2021, more than 50% of voters in the Democratic primary failed to use all five of their slots and nearly 15% — 140,000 of our friends and neighbors — did not have a say in the race’s final decision.—
Judd Kessler,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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