directed

verb

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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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 Arnold has met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the issue, but most of his effort is directed at the state level, where sports betting is regulated. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 7 July 2026 Lauren Montgomery directed along with co-directors Steve Ahn and William Mata. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 7 July 2026 Engelbert has consistently mismanaged the overt physical hostility directed at the league's biggest star. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 The irony is that the legislation is directed at controlling the management of people, while the competitive challenge facing many firms may soon be financing technology that reduces the need for those people. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Nue continues 20th’s decades-long relationship with Scott, who directed 1979’s Alien for the studio and whose Scott Free banner has long had a first-look deal there. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 The music fest is directed by Raúl Prieto Ramírez, Spreckels Organ Society’s artistic director and San Diego’s civic organist. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026 Weeks later, Vang also alleged Matsui had directed a super PAC to spend $119,000 on digital ads boosting Wooden. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 King concluded that Saulter was in a conspiracy to get King removed from office, and directed Arriola to view recordings of other cameras in the office to determine who was entering the offices of Saulter and Goodloe. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
  1. channeled
  2. instructed
  3. ordered
  4. supervised
  5. aimed
  6. steered
  7. conducted
  8. told
Verb
  • The Czech Republic channelled their inner Premier League influence to score from a throw-in, while Korea’s equaliser by Hwang In-beom came at the end of a 25-pass move.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • These entrepreneurs channeled profound adversity into solutions that now help countless others.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of channeled
Verb
  • Retailers have also been instructed to remove the products from store shelves.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, Memmott said he and his family have been instructed by local authorities to prepare to evacuate their home at any moment.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of instructed
Verb
  • Workers were ordered to evacuate, along with occupants in nine surrounding buildings, including a private school, a Westin hotel, and the Israeli consulate.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 July 2026
  • And Alibaba has ordered its employees to stop using Anthropic tools for work starting July 10, CNBC confirmed on Monday.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of ordered
Verb
  • While older children can use sparklers, they should be supervised, Heckman said.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Even a workforce-minded state like Colorado, which established a separate residential electrician license (2 years), still requires the work to be supervised by a journeyman.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of supervised
Verb
  • Tehran has paused fragile negotiations with the US aimed at reaching a lasting deal to end their conflict during the multi-day funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike in February, on the first day of the war.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • Trump’s executive order wiped out policies aimed at protecting transgender adults from discrimination.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of aimed
Verb
  • This spring, Russert received a call from leadership at MS NOW, steered by former CNN executive Rebecca Kutler.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Besides free agency opening on Tuesday, the timing does add up for Leonard’s trade, as Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has steered the franchise through a refreshing youth movement over the past year.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of steered
Verb
  • Since the warehouse fire is so recent and cleanup has just begun, Jegede said the precise impact on gardens can’t be measured until comprehensive soil tests are conducted in the area.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Smid and Daniel, who conducted a majority of the cross-examination for the defense, did not take questions from reporters, electing instead to have Mason speak for the group.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
Definition of conducted
Verb
  • As the fires spread, roughly 2,900 people — many roused from sleep — were told to evacuate or warned to prepare to flee.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • These types of moves for iconic American companies can highlight the power of the brand, Alexander Chernev, a marketing professor at Northwestern University, told CNN.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of told

Browse Nearby Words

direct
directed
directing
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Cite this Entry

“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of directed for Spanish Speakers

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