directed

Definition of directednext
past tense of direct
1
as in channeled
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
3
as in ordered
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 aimed
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 steered
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

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 directed Musgraves directed the video with Hannah Lux Davis. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026 But, as CapRadio reported at the time, that measure directed substantial funding to expanding a local expressway to Sacramento County suburbs. Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026 The band is directed by Richard Almanza. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 The film is directed and produced by Keri Pickett and produced and edited by Dawn Mikkelson. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
  • In October 2025, Martin channeled Paltrow's '90s wardrobe in a minimalist white tank top and an asymmetrical black miniskirt.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
  • When a strike hits, the shockwave is channeled into these stub tunnels rather than penetrating the main complex.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • During the practice, people are instructed to either rest in the coffin in total silence or listen to soft music.
    Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Other posts instructed taxpayers to modify wage or withholding numbers inside consumer tax software to inflate refund amounts.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Residents of Beirut's southern suburb, widely known as Dahiyeh, were ordered to evacuate before Israel launched strikes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Drozd ordered Lauer, who lives in Lafayette and has been out of custody on his own recognizance since his indictment in 2023, to turn himself in to federal authorities no later than noon on May 5.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • All schools will be open, breakfast and lunch will be provided, and all students will be properly supervised.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts, comprised of 88 clerics and supervised by the 12-member Guardian Council, which acts as a watchdog for Iran's constitution.
    Claire Day, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Torque-vectoring control and performance braking package The four-wheel-drive version of the Ti3 adds a series of premium features aimed at improving performance, comfort, and the overall driving experience.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Former President Jay Hartzell established the university’s first housing endowment in late 2024 to fund scholarships aimed at making a UT education more affordable and creating more housing complexes for students.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Alexis Borisy, who has steered billions of dollars over a lengthy career as an investor, helped Nikolic launch a fund of his own and raise more than $100 million in 2024 and 2025, five of the people said.
    Damian Garde, STAT, 11 Mar. 2026
  • This Harvey just silently materialized — slumped in a wheelchair steered by a bored-looking corrections officer.
    Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the raw numbers, the county calculated deaths per 100,000 using an average of the 2024 and 2025 estimates from the annual point-in-time count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Officers froze the area around the vehicle and conducted limited evacuations of buildings in the vicinity while the department's bomb squad assessed the device.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Devin Lloyd, the Jacksonville Jaguars inside linebacker who spent 2025 compiling one of the most impressive stat-lines in the NFL, agreed to a 3-year, $45 million deal, a league source told The Observer.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • On Monday morning, Brandon Bailey, who flew into LAX from Texas, told The Times that the potential increase will leave a hole in his travel budget.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on directed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster