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
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Recent Examples of directed
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
Garcia, who wrote and directed the movie, has come up with some crisply clever faux-noir dialogue, and part of the joke is that Joe speaks in his hardboiled pensées while everyone else talks like a normal person.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2026
As previously reported, Flying Lotus has directed and scored the upcoming film Ash, a science-fiction horror starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2025
After California directed its public employees to work from home to limit the spread of COVID-19, the state paid those public servants stipends beginning October 2021 to help cover expenses workers needed to do their jobs remotely, such as the internet.
—William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directed
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Garcia, who wrote and directed the movie, has come up with some crisply clever faux-noir dialogue, and part of the joke is that Joe speaks in his hardboiled pensées while everyone else talks like a normal person.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2026
As previously reported, Flying Lotus has directed and scored the upcoming film Ash, a science-fiction horror starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2025
After California directed its public employees to work from home to limit the spread of COVID-19, the state paid those public servants stipends beginning October 2021 to help cover expenses workers needed to do their jobs remotely, such as the internet.
—William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
-
The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
-
This time inspired by water and its movement, Maccapani Missoni reinforced her penchant for flowy caftans and fluid tunics, as well as an easy-to-approach spirit channeled via blouses cut in asymmetrical proportions and wide and loose pants.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
22 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
-
Some 40,000 people were initially ordered to evacuate after a tank storing a toxic industrial chemical overheated and caused pressure to build up on May 21.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
-
The boy who’d ordered a pizza and tried to rob the deliveryman?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Magazines Canada is supervised by an all-volunteer board of directors who serve two-year terms.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
-
Some are clinically supervised; others position themselves as complementary to Western medicine rather than a replacement for it.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this month, the Mid-North Association, an organization aimed at preserving the historic character of the mid-north neighborhood in Lincoln Park, penned an open letter of opposition to Ald.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
That strategy is aimed at expanding the company’s product portfolio, particularly in e-commerce logistics.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
22 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
-
But early tests in this outbreak were conducted for a more common type of Ebola, losing valuable time.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
The airline conducted three early research flights that year using Boeing 787-9s, which were minimally equipped to extend range.—
Marisa Garcia,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Of his sudden rise to fame, Sombr, age 20, told Variety in an episode of Behind the Song last year.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
26 May 2026
-
Everybody told her this—her studio, her husband, the press.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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