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
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4
as in supervised
to look after and make decisions about
the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directed
In 2017, Garner appeared in A Happening of Monumental Proportions, an indie movie Greer directed.
—
Alessandra Codinha, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Bari Weiss directed the housecleaning at the newsmagazine last week, and Nick Bilton signed the letter telling Scott Pelley he was fired on Tuesday night, but the Paramount CEO owns the decisions and the disconcerting fallout.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Howard Storm, a prolific television director who directed episodes for several classic sitcoms including Mork & Mindy, Rhoda and Laverne & Shirley, as well as the Jim Carrey vampire comedy Once Bitten, has died.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The supervisors previously directed staff to research raising the transient occupancy tax rate in an effort to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Alessandra Codinha, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Bari Weiss directed the housecleaning at the newsmagazine last week, and Nick Bilton signed the letter telling Scott Pelley he was fired on Tuesday night, but the Paramount CEO owns the decisions and the disconcerting fallout.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Howard Storm, a prolific television director who directed episodes for several classic sitcoms including Mork & Mindy, Rhoda and Laverne & Shirley, as well as the Jim Carrey vampire comedy Once Bitten, has died.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The supervisors previously directed staff to research raising the transient occupancy tax rate in an effort to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
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Maybe some of the way public funds are being channeled is gonna to change.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
6 June 2026
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The singer wore a Schiaparelli couture bridal suit-dress designed by Daniel Roseberry, per Vogue, along with Christian Louboutin shoes, matching gloves and a Stephen Jones hat in a look that channeled Bianca Jagger's wedding look when she wed Mick Jagger in May 1971.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Verb
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The deputy arrived on the scene and spoke to the suspect, 40-year-old Marco Antonio Garcia-Hernandez of Los Banos, who told deputies he had been instructed through text messages and WhatsApp communications to travel to Sonoma County and collect a package from the victim's home.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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Streaming services, television broadcasters and distribution partners will be instructed to cease public access to the film.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Hegseth ordered this latest move to streamline the number of religions in a May 20 memo sparking the controversy with the Mormon lawmakers.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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But the Minnesota Supreme Court later ordered a new sentencing after prosecutors appealed on the basis that the sentence failed to account for the severity of the crimes.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Color grading was supervised by Indian National Film Award-winning cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 June 2026
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Only a narrow set of exceptions apply, mostly for emergency aid workers, and those who cross the border will be subject to health screening and supervised isolation.—
Katrine L. Wallace,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Days after becoming the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Essayli established a task force aimed at investigating local homelessness and community safety spending.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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The legislation also includes several measures aimed at reducing home prices and increasing housing supply.—
Alex Schwartz,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Previous generations of CEOs will have steered companies through more stable markets, predictable career paths, and clearer industry boundaries.—
David Morel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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The documents suggest the government steered a parkland lease through an unusually fast process that favored a businessman with a financial interest in the site.—
Rick Maese,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
Verb
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According to the staff report, data is retained for a maximum of one year unless part of an active investigation, and annual audits are conducted to verify compliance with privacy policies.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
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The study, which was conducted around the time brands went on their Memorial Day sales, offers a sobering look at the lack of consumer appetite for AI during a busy shopping season.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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In March, Swiss food producer Nestlé told USA TODAY that thieves stole an entire truck containing more than 12 tons of KitKat chocolate bars in Europe.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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City attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite told council members the moratorium cannot be applied to projects that were already approved because of constraints within state law.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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