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
The project — directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans — chronicles the adventures of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group made up of three members who also just happen to fight monsters from the underworld.
—
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Menache also directed the special.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 May 2026
The production was written and directed by Fort Lauderdale poet and playwright Darius Daughtry, founder of the Art Prevails Project.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
The installment, led by Campbell, 52, was directed by franchise writer Kevin Williamson.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Menache also directed the special.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 May 2026
The production was written and directed by Fort Lauderdale poet and playwright Darius Daughtry, founder of the Art Prevails Project.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
The installment, led by Campbell, 52, was directed by franchise writer Kevin Williamson.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
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In the spoof of gentle, soft, focused crowd pleasers, SNL’s Ashley Padilla channeled the kind of maternal figure she’s honed over two seasons on the show—culturally out of touch, relentlessly cheerful, and covered in statement accessories.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
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Fusing whimsical electronics and a full symphony orchestra, the Galaxy soundtracks channeled the wide-screen ambition of Hollywood scores, marking a new era for game music.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
Verb
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After his victory in the then-match-play tournament at Olympia Fields, Hagen handed the Wanamaker Trophy to a cab driver and instructed him to take it to his hotel.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Beijing has condemned those measures and instructed its companies to ignore them.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Alan Cumming will reprise his role as host of the series, which NBC ordered in August 2025.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
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Both men were also stripped of their political rights for life and ordered to forfeit all personal property.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit claims that Santana was the lead detective assigned to the case, while Smith was the sergeant who supervised the investigative team.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Del Toro personally supervised every stage of the new restoration from the original 35mm negative.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The conspirators aimed to oust Moïse and install a new leader, dual Haitian-American citizen Christian Sanon, hoping to profit financially through the new regime.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Lawyer Steve Oshins told Inside Wealth that QSBS laws and other tax proposals aimed at the wealthy encourage high earners to move to other states.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Verb
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These gaps — as well as the significant positives of antidepressants and the risks of untreated depression — steered the authors’ research.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Advocaat had steered Curacao – an island in the Caribbean Sea that is home to around 155,000 people – to the first World Cup in their history in November.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The investigation was conducted by HSI New England, HSI Hudson Valley, the Orange County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, and the Danbury, Ridgefield, and Watertown Police Departments.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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According to a survey conducted last year by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), 34 percent of museums have been hit with the cancellation of government grants or contracts and 13 percent have been subjected to new legal restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump asked before Cignetti and his players told him Ponds was at training camp.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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Robert Penn Warren’s 1946 novel is the story of the rise and fall of a Southern populist, the Louisiana governor Willie Stark—a fictional Huey Long (even if Warren downplayed the likeness)—as told by Stark’s wisecracking, anguished, Hamlet-y henchman, Jack Burden.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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