Synonyms of directed

directed

verb

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

• channeled
• conducted
• funneled
• carried
• piped
• focused
• channelized
• siphoned
• conveyed
• transmitted
• canalized
• concentrated
• consolidated

2

as in instructed

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

• instructed
• ordered
• told
• asked
• commanded
• enjoined
• advised
• begged
• charged
• requested
• warned
• adjured
• required
• appointed
• bade
• petitioned
• authorized
• bossed (around)
• compelled
• commissioned
• assigned
• forced
• led
• supervised
• controlled
• conducted
• managed
• beseeched
• entreated
• obliged
• counseled
• constrained
• oversaw
• coerced
• superintended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• observed
• kept
• obeyed
• minded
• complied (with)

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

• ordered
• requested
• asked
• required
• dictated
• mandated
• called
• demanded
• commanded
• called for
• decreed
• ordained
• petitioned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• canceled
• rescinded
• countermanded

4

as in supervised

to look after and make decisions about

the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band

Synonyms & Similar Words

• supervised
• operated
• managed
• controlled
• conducted
• oversaw
• handled
• regulated
• governed
• ran
• administered
• guided
• tended
• kept
• carried on
• steered
• presided (over)
• administrated
• protected
• led
• overlooked
• watched
• stewarded
• superintended
• watched over
• piloted
• guarded
• safeguarded
• minded
• cared (for)
• codirected
• stage-managed
• micromanaged
• comanaged

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

• aimed
• headed
• cast
• trained
• focused
• held
• leveled
• set
• bent
• pinpointed
• steered
• concentrated
• oriented
• faced
• sighted
• bore
• inclined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diverted
• deflected
• averted
• curved
• shunted
• sidetracked
• rechanneled
• detoured

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

• steered
• guided
• accompanied
• led
• conducted
• showed
• ushered
• routed
• escorted
• preceded
• piloted
• marshaled
• attended
• controlled
• managed
• saw
• chaperoned
• convoyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• trailed
• hounded
• tailed
• shadowed
• dogged
• tailgated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of directed

In fact, one of Schleien’s Free Israel videos was directed at American liberals, after a group of Hollywood actors and other film workers signed a letter pledging to boycott some institutions within the Israeli film industry. — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Patients could be directed to manufacturer support programs, specialty obesity clinics, telehealth services, or self-navigation resources instead. — Jeffrey Millstein, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026

The film is directed by Cohen and West, whose credits include RBG (2019 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song), Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down (2022), Julia (2021) and My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021). — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

The centerpiece of each event will be a screening of Love Letter From the Afterlife, a film directed by Oscar nominee Ryan White, who also directed Come See Me in the Good Light. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

On matchdays, supporters are funnelled away from it — directed along longer routes, past new apartment blocks from the post-Olympic regeneration. — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The representative directed the Statesman to Costco’s list of upcoming openings, which included multiple stores planned to open in August and one in October, but no mention of a Meridian store. — Rose Evans august 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026

Possible gaps in the data center audits Abbott also directed state regulators and grid operators to discover the extent to which data centers’ cooling systems and water usage may draw upon local water supplies needed by local communities. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Hahn, who has directed many of Linkin Park’s music videos over the years, serves as the film’s director and producer. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026