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
Relevance
2
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
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
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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
4
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
as in straight
in a direct line or course
flew direct to the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of direct
Marah Eakin, Vulture, 27 June 2025
It is directed by Paola Randi, who co-wrote it with Salvatore De Mola and Andrea Valagussa.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 27 June 2025
Kristal Brent Zook, Essence, 16 June 2025
For years, Putin claimed that direct talks with Ukraine were impossible because President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government was illegitimate and, more important, Ukraine wasn’t a real country—merely a proxy for the American imperial project.
—Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Annie Palmer, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, will retrograde back into Pisces (before going direct on April 7) that same day, making communication between you and others all the more confusing — misunderstandings are bound to arise, so be patient.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for direct
Verb
The episode is beautifully directed by Ramy Youssef, with long shots of Marcus ambling through the dark streets of Denmark at night and diving into all manner of new and interesting flavors.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 27 June 2025
It is directed by Paola Randi, who co-wrote it with Salvatore De Mola and Andrea Valagussa.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 27 June 2025
Adjective
Kristi Williams, a community activist and direct descendant of the victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, launched the program in response to state efforts to restrict the teaching of race and Black history in schools.
—Kristal Brent Zook, Essence, 16 June 2025
For years, Putin claimed that direct talks with Ukraine were impossible because President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government was illegitimate and, more important, Ukraine wasn’t a real country—merely a proxy for the American imperial project.
—Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Adverb
Products on Haul cost $20 or less and many of them are sold direct from China using the de minimis trade exemption.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, will retrograde back into Pisces (before going direct on April 7) that same day, making communication between you and others all the more confusing — misunderstandings are bound to arise, so be patient.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for direct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direct
Verb
-
As the co-chairman continues to push the need to channel that inner 10-year-old, the episode switches to home movie footage of the players as kids, interspersed with match action from the game against Charlton.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
-
Ministers will argue that, with tax relief to private pension contributions costing £46.8 billion in 2022-23, the latest year for which figures are available, they are entitled to ask for more pension savings to be channelled toward the U.K. economy.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Saturday’s strikes raised immediate questions about the extent of the U.S. involvement in the Middle East and about Trump’s authority to order the bombings without congressional approval.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
22 June 2025
-
Mahmoud Khalil has arrived in New Jersey after a federal judge ordered his release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Louisiana.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
According to the Fish and Game Department, the Army National Guard was requested for assistance because the incident occurred nearly three miles from the nearest road.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
-
As a people leader, request that your staff turn their cell phones off in meetings.—
Martina Kuhlmeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
The flights will have regular communications with air traffic control towers, a wide array of sensors on board and someone supervising the plane from below. Plans for the company’s air taxis also are being tested at two other U.S. airports., Houston and Long Beach, California.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2025
-
Never feed or approach bears, secure all garbage, clean and store grills and fire pits properly, store any toys when not in use and make sure young children and pets are supervised when outside.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
Unsurprisingly, the number of AI offerings aimed at the legal profession is growing.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
-
Anxiety might also require more intensive cognitive-behavioral interventions aimed at changing negative thought patterns.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Time,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, Wynwood Norte is seeing some of the fruits of the rezoning in the form of several low-scale, neighborhood-friendly workforce apartment buildings that are now under construction, said Miami attorney Steven Wernick, who helped steer that plan to approval.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
20 June 2025
-
They’re embedded just enough to carry the weight—but not enough to steer the ship.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The major-party candidates in the race for governor are already set; neither faced a serious primary challenge.—
Margaret Barthel,
NPR,
17 June 2025
-
They will be required to start recording the boxes on the first day absentee ballots are issued for an election or primary and continue recording until the town clerk retrieves the last ballots.—
Gabby DeBenedictis,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Newsom, however, was an outspoken opponent of the proposition.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
-
The Democratic lawmakers have been outspoken critics of conditions at the centers amid concerns over overcrowding and detainee deaths.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direct. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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