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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of directed
Tsukerman directed films in the Soviet Union and Israel before immigrating to New York in 1976.
—
Pat Saperstein, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
The Los Angeles City Council directed city staff today to explore raising the financial threshold of its small business tax exemption program.
—City News Service, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
That love was evident in abundance following the online racial abuse directed at Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho following the Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Dermatologists overwhelmingly agree that the petroleum in Vaseline is safe when used as directed.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Pat Saperstein, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
The Los Angeles City Council directed city staff today to explore raising the financial threshold of its small business tax exemption program.
—City News Service, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
That love was evident in abundance following the online racial abuse directed at Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho following the Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Dermatologists overwhelmingly agree that the petroleum in Vaseline is safe when used as directed.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
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And for Uniqlo’s spring/summer 2026 line, the designer has channelled his signature preppy motifs.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
-
So far, the series has been excellent, serving the dual purpose of entertaining patrons with high-quality displays, while at the same time giving Coloradans an opportunity to see some examples of how millions of dollars in public arts funding are being channeled into acquisitions.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Agency staff were instructed not to communicate with anyone outside the agency.—
Rachana Pradhan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
According to the Cypriot news outlet in-cyprus, an alert sounded Thursday and residents were instructed to remain in place until further official notification, and to move away from windows and take shelter behind or underneath sturdy furniture.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Their ties had been strained since the 2023 killing of an Indian activist in Canada which Ottawa said was ordered by Delhi.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Elsewhere across the region, the US State Department ordered non-emergency US government personnel and their families to depart from Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Huffman was also sentenced to 250 hours of community service and supervised release for one year.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
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However, a hospital staff member reported that, in February, 2025, Adams asked the staff member to falsify about 25 documents claiming to have supervised medical procedures dating back months.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It's aimed at lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesterol through a balanced, nutrient-rich diet that also limits sodium intake.—
Vanessa Caceres,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In 2006, more than 1,000 teenagers in Aurora walked out of their classrooms, protesting legislation aimed at tightening the United States’ borders and punishing undocumented immigrants and those who help them.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Michael Carrick and his coaching staff have steered the side to six victories in seven matches.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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But China has consistently steered clear of direct involvement in its partners’ conflicts, showing little appetite for wading into Middle Eastern security matters beyond protecting its own assets.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Stephano Wieu De Mialek, the chief administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, said on Sunday that the assault was conducted by elements linked to the White Army militia alongside forces affiliated with Machar's Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
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The study, conducted in 2024, did not use the latest chatbot versions, including new offerings like ChatGPT Health.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rubio told reporters that the US strikes on Iran were designed to head off a threat to the US from Israel’s plans to attack Iran, according to The Hill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The United Kingdom told British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE to register their presence to receive direct updates from its foreign ministry.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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