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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
But with money easily converted to digital currency and channeled overseas, federal agents are at a disadvantage.—
Laura Geller,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
Mubadala’s private credit portfolio alone totals $20 billion channeled through those same five firms.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Anthropic’s red team caught early versions escaping their sandbox, gaining internet access and emailing researchers without being instructed to do any of it.—
Shreyans Mehta,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Armed guards were placed outside the compound, and children were instructed to remove water pistols and miniature guns from their Lego sets, in case the feds argued that weapons were encouraged on the compound.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The judge in the Eastern District of Virginia had only ordered the department to temporarily freeze the fund, and barred it from making any payments while the judge considered legal arguments in a lawsuit brought against the fund.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
An immigration judge ordered his removal in 2020.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Color grading was supervised by Indian National Film Award-winning cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
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
-
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
-
The legislation also includes several measures aimed at reducing home prices and increasing housing supply.—
Alex Schwartz,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Rocket bodies are dead objects that cannot be steered.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
-
Former Olympiacos head coach Vitor Pereira ultimately steered the club to safety this season after being appointed Forest’s fourth separate permanent head coach of the campaign.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Both passengers have agreed and are required to remain at their residences, have no contact with other people, and participate in daily monitoring activities conducted by local health officials.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
The tunnel was discovered through intelligence work conducted by agents with the FGR's Criminal Investigation Agency in coordination with Mexico's Security Cabinet.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
How to stop constantly looking forward at an uncertain tomorrow, at least momentarily, and go back in time precisely when we’re told that history is over?—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
But, truth be told, none get high marks across the board.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
