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• rescinded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

Chinese documentary filmmaker Nanfu Wang produced and directed One Child Nation (2019) alongside Jialing Zhang to explore the legacy of China’s one-child policy (late 1970s–2016). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026

Now in 2026, several men wearing all black with red ties, like Way does in the music video directed by Marc Webb, trickle in as soon as the doors open. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Lawmakers directed the defense secretary to brief the committee by February 1, 2027, on plans to evaluate and adopt these technologies. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026

Jones also questioned whether enough money is being directed toward protecting local waterways. — Nina Burns, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

The documentary, which hails from Deranged Minds Entertainment, is directed by Destinie Orndoff and Tristan Clay, both of whom also produce alongside Hayden Todd Wilberger and Jordan Wyant. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026

And leading off a late-day flood of candidates entering a lottery for the last spot on the ballot, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas took a shot at Alexi Giannoulias, acknowledging her custom t-shirt was directed at him. — Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

But what is especially shocking is that the violence is directed at very young people. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026

Meta’s efforts to scapegoat staff seem to ignore that staff expressed discomfort in being directed to pirate work. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026