Synonyms of directed

directed

verb

past tense of direct

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

• channeled
• conducted
• funneled
• carried
• piped
• focused
• channelized
• siphoned
• conveyed
• transmitted
• canalized
• concentrated
• consolidated

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

• instructed
• ordered
• told
• asked
• commanded
• enjoined
• advised
• begged
• charged
• requested
• warned
• adjured
• required
• appointed
• bade
• petitioned
• authorized
• bossed (around)
• compelled
• commissioned
• assigned
• forced
• led
• supervised
• controlled
• conducted
• managed
• beseeched
• entreated
• obliged
• counseled
• constrained
• oversaw
• coerced
• superintended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• observed
• kept
• obeyed
• minded
• complied (with)

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

• ordered
• requested
• asked
• required
• dictated
• mandated
• called
• demanded
• commanded
• called for
• decreed
• ordained
• petitioned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• canceled
• rescinded
• countermanded

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

• supervised
• operated
• managed
• controlled
• conducted
• oversaw
• handled
• regulated
• governed
• ran
• administered
• guided
• tended
• kept
• carried on
• steered
• presided (over)
• administrated
• protected
• led
• overlooked
• watched
• stewarded
• superintended
• watched over
• piloted
• guarded
• safeguarded
• minded
• cared (for)
• codirected
• stage-managed
• micromanaged
• comanaged

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

• aimed
• headed
• cast
• trained
• focused
• held
• leveled
• set
• bent
• pinpointed
• steered
• concentrated
• oriented
• faced
• sighted
• bore
• inclined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diverted
• deflected
• averted
• curved
• shunted
• sidetracked
• rechanneled
• detoured

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

• steered
• guided
• accompanied
• led
• conducted
• showed
• ushered
• routed
• escorted
• preceded
• piloted
• marshaled
• attended
• controlled
• managed
• saw
• chaperoned
• convoyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• trailed
• hounded
• tailed
• shadowed
• dogged
• tailgated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of directed

The league's anti-hate committee was formed last year to deal with hateful and abusive online comments directed at players and the league. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

In July, the parliament directed Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi to develop a policy for renegotiating electricity supply agreements with major power producers. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Viola Davis The EGOT-winning Davis and Panettiere worked together on the 2016 courtroom drama Custody, directed by theater icon James Lapine. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026

Ho said Connecticut is on pace to collect more than $100 million from the sale of allowances this year, of which at least $53 million will be directed back to ratepayers. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

The film, which was the final installment of the franchise directed by Wes Craven, also starred Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, alongside Emma Roberts, Mary McDonnell, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella and Alison Brie. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Moskovitz will join Johnny Galecki as Tennessee Williams in the Gregg Ostrin play directed by Colin Hanlon. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

In fact, one of Schleien’s Free Israel videos was directed at American liberals, after a group of Hollywood actors and other film workers signed a letter pledging to boycott some institutions within the Israeli film industry. — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Patients could be directed to manufacturer support programs, specialty obesity clinics, telehealth services, or self-navigation resources instead. — Jeffrey Millstein, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026