DIRECT Synonyms: 301 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

direct 1 of 3

verb

də-ˈrekt

Definition of direct next

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

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

direct

2 of 3

adjective

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in straightforward

going straight to the point clearly and firmly clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in linear

free from irregularities or digressions in course this road provides the most direct route to your destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

direct

3 of 3

adverb

as in straight

in a direct line or course flew direct to the coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 direct

Verb

Hall noted that the results suggested a pervasive sentiment of outrage directed not at local insurance agents, but at decisions made in distant corporate boardrooms. —

J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026 To make this dish in advance, prepare it as directed, cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months (add a layer of aluminum foil when freezing). —

Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Importantly, the study doesn’t identify a direct causal link between autism and wildfire smoke, Rahman says. —

Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026 However, during a briefing at the Williamson County Board of Commissioners, state epidemiologists said an investigation is underway and that the infection has not yet been confirmed as the direct cause of any fatalities. —

Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Neptune Retrograde began in Aries on July 4 and stayed retrograde while backspinning into Pisces on October 22 and then will move direct on December 10. —

Colin Bedell, Them., 3 Dec. 2025 How to Get There United offers direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Cape Town, while Delta flies direct from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). —

Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for direct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for direct

Verb

Golden Globes hair 2026 channeled silver screen elegance with movie star bobs, sculptural waves, and vintage styles owning the night.

— Grace McCarty, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Selena Gomez channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a black floor-length Chanel gown with a white feathered off-the-shoulder neckline.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Definition of channel

Browse Nearby Words

dire

direct

directed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direct. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 28 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of direct

verb

adjective

adverb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on direct

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

reciprocate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Ten Kinds of Happiness

‘Fascism’: The Word’s Meaning and History

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Words That Turned 100 in 2025

Popular

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

Ten Kinds of Happiness

‘Fascism’: The Word’s Meaning and History

Games & Quizzes