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
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
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Recent Examples of directed
At the first Ramona Braver Angels workshop, the 40 participants were grouped into pairs and directed to ask their partners questions that were unrelated to politics.
—
Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Bryan Walsh directed the efforts.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Norman Rockwell art-directed a Colorama, and TV’s Ozzie and Harriett appeared in several, according to the Eastman Museum.
—Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Horner again directed the ranger to that location.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Bryan Walsh directed the efforts.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Norman Rockwell art-directed a Colorama, and TV’s Ozzie and Harriett appeared in several, according to the Eastman Museum.
—Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Horner again directed the ranger to that location.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
-
In Asheville, North Carolina, an environmental nonprofit channeled the opposition of newer residents into a campaign against the New Asheville Speedway.—
Joshua Vadeboncoeur,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Rather than rehearse soothing representations of bodies or objects, the artist channeled crises both personal and political into an interrogation of representation in and on its own terms.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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In a March 2025 executive order, the White House instructed the DOJ to apply the antitrust laws in the live-entertainment industry.—
Gail Slater,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The feds last week ordered airlines to cut hundreds of flights per day at O’Hare between mid-May and late October this year, with flights allocated based on airlines’ schedules last summer.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The unanimous procedural decision gives the companies a new day in federal court after a state jury ordered Chevron to pay upward of $740 million to clean up damage to the state’s coastline, one of multiple similar lawsuits.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most crew members interviewed by police, defense attorneys or USA TODAY said the boys were always supervised on set.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Last week, a Utah judge ruled that Paul can have supervised visits with Ever, until another hearing for a protective order later this month.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In response, both agencies have introduced major operational changes aimed at improving coordination and public safety.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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But critics note Angola still has deep problems with corruption and have questioned if Lourenco’s actions were more aimed at political rivals so as to consolidate his power.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Politics has never been TMZ’s focal point, but political issues that aggrieve Levin personally have steered the outlet’s coverage from its inception.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
With his tag-team partner Michael Burns, vice chair of the company, Feltheimer has steered Lionsgate through a series of M&A deals, adding thousands of titles to its library, boosting its capabilities and increasing its value into the billions from far humbler beginnings.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When Cuban refugees flooded Miami in 1980 after the Mariel boatlift, the county passed a controversial ordinance that largely banned the use of taxpayer money for programs conducted in languages besides English.—
David Ovalle,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Tuesday that drones and robots had conducted more than 22,000 missions in the past three months alone.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The caller told dispatch her 20-year-old son was inside the home and threatening to harm himself.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Banks and Fahy are sensational, and both get to smoke even after they’ve been told not to because the smell might infest the chintz drapes in the breakfast room.—
Libby Gelman-Waxner,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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