direct 1 of 3

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

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2
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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2
3
4

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
The series is directed by Jared P. Scott Produced by: Texas Crew Productions alongside 50 Cent’s G-Unit Film & Television and New York Post Entertainment. Matt Minton, Variety, 9 May 2025 Peacemaker was not in 2016’s Suicide Squad, written and directed by David Ayer. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Adjective
Messer said Texas Wesleyan has not yet been impacted by direct federal spending cuts, but is closely monitoring developments related to Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the provision that refers to financial aid programs for post-secondary education. Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 May 2025 Shough seems like the prime candidate to start Week 1 due to his direct allegiance to the team’s new coaching staff. Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adverb
This is especially true with Venus going direct in Pisces, highlighting your fourth house of home, family and emotional foundations. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025 Then there’s Jupiter going direct in your money sector. Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for direct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direct
Verb
  • Addressing Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center — the only Democratic witness at the hearing — Crockett channeled her inner Jigsaw and asked to play a little game.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 8 May 2025
  • Edwards channels the horror and wonder of the original Godzilla films while paying loving tribute to the franchise’s weirdest excesses.
    EW.com, EW.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Studios and streamers also aren't ordering as many shows these days.
    Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 17 May 2025
  • Bronx Criminal Court Judge Audrey Stone on Wednesday ordered that Jeremy Cortorreal spend the next two decades behind bars for killing Lisette Gomez back on March 21, 2023.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The analysis, requested by Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Soto-Martínez, would have explored whether to allow the hotel to keep a share of the tax revenues generated by the new tower.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
  • Records from interstate child safety authorities are being requested by the police, according to the outlet.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.
    Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Board of Review actively promotes homeowner education and conducts numerous outreach efforts, particularly aimed at underserved communities.
    George Cardenas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • Elsbeth boss aims to get Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) out from behind his desk more next season.
    Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • In May 2023, the company’s CEO, Sam Altman, co-signed an open letter describing the technology as a potential extinction risk—a narrative that has arguably helped OpenAI center itself and steer regulatory conversations.
    Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
  • Staying grounded in their business mission helps foster a sense of resiliency and will steer their business through uncertain times.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • It's led by a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide, with a 12-megapixel selfie camera.
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 13 May 2025
  • Arriving first responders conducted a primary assessment of the scene and learned that two people were trapped in a Toyota Corolla, officials said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • His outspoken criticism of a student strike won him the support of California’s then governor, Ronald Reagan, and, in 1968, Hayakawa was appointed the college’s acting president.
    Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Another singles match will see the tough Sheamus go one-on-one with the outspoken Grayson Waller.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direct. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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