Thesaurus

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

Antonyms of direct

indirect, secondhand

2 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

control, manage

Near Antonyms of direct

dog, hound, shadow, tail, tailgate

Antonyms of direct

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

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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