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
This essay documentary is written, directed and produced by Muñoz Barroso alongside Leila Montero and Efthymia Zymvragaki, and backed by Estudio ST Producciones Cinematográficas, Gris Medio and Colectivo de Creación Estudio ST.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
On the documentary side, the festival will showcase Militantropos, directed by the trio of Alina Gorlova, Simon Mozgovyi, and Yelizaveta Smit, a Directors Fortnight selection at Cannes last year.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
DuVall wrote and directed TriStar’s holiday comedy Happiest Season that starred Kristen Stewart and debuted on Hulu in 2020.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
The dynamic stage production, directed by Phillip M Church, features Justine Chichester, Shawn Buller and Laquantis Morton who deliver—verbatim—Taussig’s inspiring and evocative voice.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
On the documentary side, the festival will showcase Militantropos, directed by the trio of Alina Gorlova, Simon Mozgovyi, and Yelizaveta Smit, a Directors Fortnight selection at Cannes last year.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
DuVall wrote and directed TriStar’s holiday comedy Happiest Season that starred Kristen Stewart and debuted on Hulu in 2020.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
The dynamic stage production, directed by Phillip M Church, features Justine Chichester, Shawn Buller and Laquantis Morton who deliver—verbatim—Taussig’s inspiring and evocative voice.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
-
But his passion for the sport eventually led back to the hardwood, where Calhoun channeled his loss and his pain into the gym, eventually building an uninspiring state school in the farmland of Storrs into a national champion and perennial powerhouse.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Brown channeled her grief into action, launching Jared's Heart of Success the following year.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nakua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross' stream, and, in the video, Ross instructed Nakua to spike the ball, flex and then rub his hands together.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jurors were later instructed to disregard large portions of the girl’s testimony, which the appellate panel said was likely confusing to the jury.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, the company was ordered to shut down by California's Office of the Attorney General for stiffing nearly 3,000 nonprofits out of millions of dollars.—
Kelly Werthmann,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
After hours, food can be ordered in-room, and ranges from quiches to terrines to comforting stews.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Muscle Distribution has announced plans to release the 2019 4K restoration, which was conducted by Criterion and supervised by May herself, beginning with a Film at Lincoln Center engagement in June before national expansion follows.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In a March 25 court filing, federal prosecutors requested a prison sentence of 180 months, or 15 years, followed by three years’ supervised release.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Massive investments in weapons and technology A significant portion of the funding is aimed at strengthening military capabilities.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The curriculum also includes resistance techniques aimed at helping troops endure interrogation and psychological pressure if captured.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fewer teams are being steered by local, civic-minded businesspeople.—
Michael Delayo,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The crew module will separate from the service module, whose engines have steered them around the Moon and back to Earth.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During a recent focus group of twenty Gen Z Republicans conducted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, a subset of participants were asked to share their thoughts on Hitler.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The research was conducted by graduate student Kyhl Austin and Professor Daniel Rubinoff through the university’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), specifically its Entomology Section.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time, advocates told WCCO the approach focuses on harm reduction and helping both communities and users stay safer while working toward recovery.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
China chip sector faces more disruption Washington’s various restrictions over the past few years have actually helped boost China’s domestic semiconductor industry, analysts told CNBC, with several companies reporting record revenues last year.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
