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
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
That announcement came just after Jim Rodenbush, the director of student media, was fired after resisting a directive to remove news coverage from the paper.
—
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Europe doesn’t need another directive or committee.
—Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Even in the majors, though, the directive is strikingly similar, pun intended.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The Palo Alto Police Department reversed course after initially encrypting its channels — re-opening them to the public, after citing the ability to use other means to protect citizen’s private information mentioned in the 2020 directive.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Europe doesn’t need another directive or committee.
—Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Even in the majors, though, the directive is strikingly similar, pun intended.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The Palo Alto Police Department reversed course after initially encrypting its channels — re-opening them to the public, after citing the ability to use other means to protect citizen’s private information mentioned in the 2020 directive.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
-
Max was in the tender while Christian and Tessa worked the connecting lines according to Nathan’s careful instructions.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Some blankets can be used on a couch or bed, but many require a hard, flat surface—always follow your model’s instructions.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The violence reached such a fever pitch that in April 1932, the federal government banned the SA through an emergency decree.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s memorandum was consistent with one of his Inauguration Day executive orders, which prohibited DEI activities by all government agencies, grantees and contractors.—
Paul du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The memorandum was cosigned by Vernadsky’s younger colleague Vitalii Khlopin, who had taken over the directorship of the Radium Institute from Vernadsky in 1939.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Owners who defy this edict will be tied down and forced to watch their machines being destroyed during a demolition derby that will be free for the public to watch.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Of course, Nix never has to worry about the pain his defensive teammates can inflict, protected in practice by the strict don’t-touch-the-QB edict.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The court's ruling could influence how future AI laws evolve and how victims seek justice.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
After considerable time, referee Cal McNeill announced that the ruling on the field — even though there had not been any indication of one — was that the ball indeed hit a Nevada player and was recovered by the Broncos.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As the notice explains, the alarm was raised after 40 environmental samples collected at the company’s processing facility tested positive for Salmonella, including seven different strains known to cause human illness.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, Nevada Public Radio is reporting more than 1,000 nuclear contractors in Nevada could receive notices by the end of the month, because their work relies on the federal government remaining open.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Be sure to allow 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark, and use a red light if needed in order to avoid ruining your night vision.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Judge Mark Pittman, in a sharply ironic four-page order on Thursday, encouraged the companies to relocate their headquarters to Fort Worth, given their preference for the antitrust lawsuit to be heard there.—
Dan Mangan,Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tillman was due in court Tuesday morning for an arraignment, where Judge Vincent Chiu agreed to the prosecution's motion to revoke bond, reversing a different judge's decision to free him before trial.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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The ban was put into place by local authorities in England and triggered condemnation from many politicians, sports organizations and Jewish groups, who have since tried to reverse the decision.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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