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
Like a ball passing through the barriers of a pinball machine, the water flows among the components as directed by 2,200 miles of canals, 2,100 miles of levees and berms, 84 pump stations and 778 water control structures.
—
Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The administration has quietly directed diplomats to press allies on restricting inflows, enhancing deportation mechanisms, and ending policies perceived as favoring migrants over citizens.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The hospital directed all inquiries to the NYPD.
—Alexandra Koch , Michael Ruiz , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
My responsibility is to be directed by David Cromer, who’s going to have his way into this play.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The administration has quietly directed diplomats to press allies on restricting inflows, enhancing deportation mechanisms, and ending policies perceived as favoring migrants over citizens.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The hospital directed all inquiries to the NYPD.
—Alexandra Koch , Michael Ruiz , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
My responsibility is to be directed by David Cromer, who’s going to have his way into this play.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
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Fran Drescher channeled Fran Fine for her bold and beautiful glam at the 2026 Golden Globes.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Golden Globes hair 2026 channeled silver screen elegance with movie star bobs, sculptural waves, and vintage styles owning the night.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Consume aloe vera juice as directed on the product label or as instructed by a healthcare provider to avoid potential side effects.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
15 Jan. 2026
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That guidance instructed officers to consider both an applicant’s health and overall financial picture when determining whether to issue a visa.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Questions about education funding Amid the state’s revenue shortfall, Little in August ordered state agencies other than public schools to cut spending by 3%.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cashier Sandra Cornejo said the suspect ordered Oreo ice cream before pulling out a knife and demanding money.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sessions are limited to six children, and each child must be supervised by a parent.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Taking calcium and vitamin D together is generally safe and helps support bone health when supervised by a doctor.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Boatyard was founded in 2001 by Dick Franyo, who grew up on the Chesapeake Bay and aimed to celebrate the Bay's culture through his establishment.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Over the past few years, China has conducted numerous exercises aimed at demonstrating its ability to operate around the island, including large-scale multi-service war games that involve land, air, naval, and rocket forces.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Newsom has long been a favorite of affluent donors, drawing support from a set of elite San Francisco families — including branches of the Getty, Pritzker, and Fisher fortunes — who have collectively steered tens of millions of dollars to his campaigns over more than two decades.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
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In turn, those officers steered ships to the Southeast Asian ports controlled by Francis and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The poll, conducted between December 21, 2025, to January 6, 2026, surveyed 808 Marylanders.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Resilience has now flown four of those; the capsule also conducted Crew-1, SpaceX first operational astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA, as well as Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, the company's first and most recent private crew launches to Earth orbit, respectively.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But law enforcement experts told CNN the dragging incident last summer could have affected his decision-making – though how such an experience impacts law enforcement varies from officer to officer.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Chew told jurors that neither the Cryptpad documents nor the prosecution’s surveillance videos shown during Baker’s opening could be considered evidence during opening statements.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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