Synonyms of directing

directing 1 of 3

adjective

as in overseeing

Related Words

• overseeing
• controlling
• supervisory
• managing
• senior
• high-level
• main
• ruling
• reigning
• major
• leading
• officiating
• predominant
• lead
• commanding
• paramount
• first
• regnant
• presiding
• sovereign
• principal
• head
• chief
• prime
• primary
• predominate
• supreme
• foremost
• dominant
• premier
• top
• upper
• superior
• uppermost
• topmost
• high
• preeminent
• supereminent
• ascendant
• grand
• upmost

Dissimilar Words

• second
• less
• last
• lower
• secondary
• subordinate
• lesser
• ancillary
• subsidiary
• inferior
• assisting
• lowly
• assistant
• junior
• under
• deputy
• coadjutor

directing

2 of 3

noun

as in commanding

Related Words

• commanding
• ordering
• promotion
• facilitation
• fostering
• mandate
• empowerment
• delegation
• commendation
• consignment
• authorization
• entrustment
• accreditation
• commission
• license

directing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of direct

1

as in channeling

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

• channeling
• funneling
• conducting
• carrying
• channelizing
• focusing
• piping
• siphoning
• transmitting
• canalizing
• conveying
• concentrating
• consolidating

2

as in instructing

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

• instructing
• ordering
• telling
• commanding
• asking
• enjoining
• advising
• begging
• bidding
• charging
• requesting
• petitioning
• warning
• adjuring
• appointing
• requiring
• authorizing
• bossing (around)
• supervising
• managing
• forcing
• controlling
• assigning
• overseeing
• leading
• entreating
• commissioning
• conducting
• compelling
• beseeching
• superintending
• coercing
• counseling
• constraining
• obliging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obeying
• following
• keeping
• observing
• minding
• complying (with)

3

as in ordering

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

• ordering
• requesting
• asking
• mandating
• requiring
• dictating
• commanding
• calling
• demanding
• calling for
• decreeing
• ordaining
• petitioning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• canceling
• rescinding
• countermanding

4

as in supervising

to look after and make decisions about

the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band

Synonyms & Similar Words

• supervising
• overseeing
• managing
• controlling
• operating
• regulating
• conducting
• handling
• running
• governing
• guiding
• administering
• keeping
• tending
• superintending
• protecting
• administrating
• presiding (over)
• carrying on
• leading
• stewarding
• watching
• overlooking
• watching over
• steering
• safeguarding
• guarding
• piloting
• minding
• caring (for)
• stage-managing
• micromanaging
• codirecting
• comanaging

5

as in aiming

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

• aiming
• casting
• heading
• holding
• setting
• bending
• training
• focusing
• pinpointing
• steering
• leveling
• concentrating
• facing
• orienting
• sighting
• bearing
• inclining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diverting
• deflecting
• curving
• shunting
• averting
• detouring
• sidetracking
• rechanneling

6

as in guiding

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

• guiding
• steering
• leading
• conducting
• accompanying
• showing
• routing
• ushering
• escorting
• preceding
• marshaling
• piloting
• managing
• controlling
• attending
• seeing
• chaperoning
• convoying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• trailing
• tailing
• shadowing
• hounding
• dogging
• tailgating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of directing

Noun

The show is also nominated for production design, writing, lighting, directing and technical direction and camerawork. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

But for a moment midway through the limited series, creator Steven Conrad — Emmy-nominated for writing, directing and executive producing all seven episodes — brings viewers into the realm of euphoric fantasy. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye and Emma Fletcher penned the script, with Jude Weng directing. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Though Winkler appeared in all 255 episodes of the series, Howard left after seven seasons to pursue his dreams of film directing. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Lanterns Rotten Tomatoes Second, this is only the second DCU project that is entirely free of James Gunn's writing or directing. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

His additional directing credits include Tranzicion – art et pouvoir en Albanie (2017), L’ombra del padrino (2016), Apolitics Now! — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Universal acclaim or not, the film launched his groundbreaking directing career and helped usher in a new era of Black independent filmmaking. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

Rydell turned increasingly back to television for his directing jobs. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

So, there was no real risk that a court AI system might confuse any of Elliott’s prompts as instructions from the court directing an AI model on how to read Elliott’s filings. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

It was nominated for best picture and brought Rydell a directing nom. — Carmel Dagan, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

In that sense, emotional intelligence becomes less about suppressing feelings than directing them productively. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

During the conversation, the director, known for directing 2001’s Super Troopers, looked back at some of the legends he’s worked with during his career. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

The move led to multiple lawsuits, and while the Missouri State Supreme Court mulled over the new maps, some election boards were uncertain which version to use when directing voters to research their races. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026

Paola Fendi in the manufacture and treatment of fur, Franca Fendi in buying and management, Carla Fendi in promotion and business, Alda Fendi in directing the company’s fur ateliers, and Anna Fendi in bags and leather. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

West Contra Costa Unified School District declined a request for an interview, directing us back to its advisory regarding Thursday night's meeting. — Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026