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• rescinded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

Williams directed prosecutors and defense attorneys on Tuesday to submit three mutually available dates within 24 hours so the court can set the hearing and the probation office can begin preparing its pre-sentence report. — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026

Drain in a colander and let cool for 10 minutes, or proceed as directed in your recipe. — Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2026

The film, directed by May el-Toukhy, is set in Denmark in the aftermath of World War II, as a maid prepares to marry her former employer. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Eventually, overwhelming boos from the rest of the crowd directed at the people fighting, and then security arrived to handle it. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Sitting later at a quiet table in the back of Saint Leo’s, an Italian spot on the Oxford Square, she is asked to explain the vitriol directed at Kiffin. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Tina Satter, who created and directed Is This a Room, will direct. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

And Poshmark users only need to follow a pair of Prada’s spring 2012 flame wedges to take them there, thanks to a series of long- and short-form films directed by Léa Esmaili combining live action, animation and CGI. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Rizzo spoke to harbor employees and was directed to Yamada, who found the ring in about an hour and a half. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026