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direct

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of direct

1 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 of direct

firsthand, immediate, primary, unmediated
Words Related to direct

clinical, empirical (also empiric)

efficient, proximate

hands-on
Antonyms of direct

indirect, secondhand

2 free in expressing oneʼs true feelings and opinions

  • our coach is very direct, never hesitating for a moment to tell a player whenever he isnʼt performing up to snuff
Synonyms of direct

candid, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, frank, free-spoken, freehearted, honest, open, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, unreserved, up-front
Words Related to direct

artless, earnest, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), natural, real, sincere, unaffected, undesigning, unpretending, unpretentious

outgoing, uninhibited, unrestrained

vocal, vociferous

abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, gruff, sharp

impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, thoughtless, uncivil, undiplomatic, ungracious, unmannerly, unsubtle
Near Antonyms of direct

inhibited, reserved, restrained

close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative

ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive

diplomatic, politic, tactful

civil, considerate, courteous, polite
Antonyms of direct

dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming

3 going straight to the point clearly and firmly

  • clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation
Synonyms of direct

forthright, foursquare, plain, straight, straightforward
Words Related to direct

aboveboard, candid, frank, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plainspoken, unguarded, unreserved

artless, earnest, sincere

uninhibited, unrestrained

abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), curt, gruff, point-blank, sharp

impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, undiplomatic

true, truthful, veracious
Near Antonyms of direct

circumlocutory, long-winded, prolix, verbose, wordy

inhibited, reserved, restrained

civil, courteous, polite, tactful

deceitful, lying, mendacious, untruthful

erroneous, fallacious, false

ambiguous, equivocal, evasive, misleading

double-dealing, hypocritical, two-faced
Antonyms of direct

circuitous, indirect, roundabout

4 free from irregularities or digressions in course

  • this road provides the most direct route to your destination
Synonyms of direct

linear, right, straight, straightaway, straightforward
Words Related to direct

unbent, uncurled, untwisted

undeviating, unswerving
Near Antonyms of direct

bowed, rounded

entwined, kinked, swirled, turned, turning, twined, twining, twisted, twisting, veering, warped

bending, coiled, coiling, corkscrew, curled, curling, curved, curving, looped, looping, spiral, spiraling (or spiralling), wavy, winding

meandering, weaving

devious, serpentine, sinuous

crooked, zigzag, zigzagging

direct

adverb

Synonyms and Antonyms of direct

in a direct line or course

  • flew direct to the coast
Synonyms of direct

dead, directly, due, plumb, plump, right, straight, straightway
Phrases Synonymous with direct

as the crow flies
Near Antonyms of direct

circuitously, deviously, veeringly
Antonyms of direct

indirectly

direct

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of direct

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

  • the aqueduct directs the water into an artificial lake
Synonyms of direct

canalize, channel, channelize, conduct, funnel, pipe, siphon (also syphon)
Words Related to direct

carry, convey, transmit

concentrate, consolidate, focus

2 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 of direct

adjure, bid, boss (around), charge, command, enjoin, instruct, order, tell
Words Related to direct

ask, petition, request

beg, beseech, entreat

advise, counsel, warn

appoint, assign, authorize, commission

oversee, superintend, supervise

conduct, control, lead, manage

coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require
Near Antonyms of direct

comply (with), follow, keep, observe
Antonyms of direct

mind, obey

3 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 of direct

call, command, decree, dictate, mandate, ordain, order
Words Related to direct

ask, petition, request

demand, require
Phrases Synonymous with direct

call for
Near Antonyms of direct

cancel, countermand, rescind

4 to look after and make decisions about

  • the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band
Synonyms of direct

administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, control, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend
Words Related to direct

care (for), mind, watch

lead, pilot, steer

guard, protect, safeguard

micromanage, stage-manage

codirect, comanage
Phrases Synonymous with direct

watch over

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

  • we quickly directed our attention toward the noise coming from the rear
Synonyms of direct

aim, bend, cast, head, hold, level, pinpoint, set, train
Words Related to direct

sight

bear, face

concentrate, focus

incline, orient, steer
Near Antonyms of direct

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

6 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 of direct

conduct, guide, lead, marshal (also marshall), pilot, route, show, steer, usher
Words Related to direct

precede

accompany, attend, chaperone (or chaperon), convoy, escort, see

control, manage
Near Antonyms of direct

dog, hound, shadow, tail, tailgate
Antonyms of direct

follow, trail

Synonym Discussion of direct

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority.
    • a general commanding troops
order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.
    • ordered his employees about like slaves
bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).
    • she bade him be seated
enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.
    • a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet
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
charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.
    • charged by the President with a secret mission

Learn More about direct

  1. See words that rhyme with direct Dictionary: Definition of direct Spanish Central: Translation of direct Nglish: Translation of direct for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of direct for Arabic speakers

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