as in overseeing
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Dissimilar Words
as in commanding
Related Words
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directing
Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Currently in production, the film is written and produced by Luc Besson with Barthélémy Grossmann directing.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
And his approach to directing is as empathic as his films.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
Edgerton continues to balance acting, writing and directing, maintaining an active presence in both Australian and international cinema.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Giselle Bailey was also awarded a Concordia Fellowship for directing and the William Greaves grant from Firelight Media.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
The week also featured a hands-on workshop with Adrienne Weiss, best known as a directing and storytelling coach.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Ramsay told Vulture that her directing style on the movie was born of wanting the actors to feel free on the set.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
In 1968, Watson started directing the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a Long Island, New York, research institution, for 25 years, transforming it into a hub for molecular biology research.
—Christina Zdanowicz, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
In that role, Ruszkowski will oversee turnaround efforts in Fort Worth ISD, including directing or possibly overruling actions of the superintendent and other district leaders.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
The movie was the directorial debut of Michael Cimino, who would later go on to win a best directing Oscar for his 1978 Vietnam War drama The Deer Hunter.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
In the second production of Diversionary Theatre’s 40th season, Jesse Marchese is directing this San Diego premiere.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
After directing a season 2 episode of The Sopranos in 2000, Tamahori helmed 2001's Along Came a Spider, which saw Morgan Freeman reprise his role as Alex Cross after playing the character in 1997's Kiss the Girls.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Educational institutions aren't an exception, especially in 2025, when attackers are actively directing their efforts toward them.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Pfeil also delved into directing, serving as an assistant director for Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter and Providence.
—Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Currently in production, the film is written and produced by Luc Besson with Barthélémy Grossmann directing.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
And his approach to directing is as empathic as his films.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
Edgerton continues to balance acting, writing and directing, maintaining an active presence in both Australian and international cinema.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Giselle Bailey was also awarded a Concordia Fellowship for directing and the William Greaves grant from Firelight Media.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
The week also featured a hands-on workshop with Adrienne Weiss, best known as a directing and storytelling coach.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Christo and Jeanne-Claude disregarded all threats of legal action, directing Running Fence to complete its predestined voyage into the sea.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Ramsay told Vulture that her directing style on the movie was born of wanting the actors to feel free on the set.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
In 1968, Watson started directing the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a Long Island, New York, research institution, for 25 years, transforming it into a hub for molecular biology research.
—Christina Zdanowicz, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
In that role, Ruszkowski will oversee turnaround efforts in Fort Worth ISD, including directing or possibly overruling actions of the superintendent and other district leaders.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
The movie was the directorial debut of Michael Cimino, who would later go on to win a best directing Oscar for his 1978 Vietnam War drama The Deer Hunter.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
In the second production of Diversionary Theatre’s 40th season, Jesse Marchese is directing this San Diego premiere.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
After directing a season 2 episode of The Sopranos in 2000, Tamahori helmed 2001's Along Came a Spider, which saw Morgan Freeman reprise his role as Alex Cross after playing the character in 1997's Kiss the Girls.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Educational institutions aren't an exception, especially in 2025, when attackers are actively directing their efforts toward them.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
With his commanding win, the democratic socialist will etch his place in history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian heritage and the first born in Africa.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The Spring Hill School Board had some tight races Tuesday, but Autumn Coleman-Marconett, Steve Miller and Ted Beauchamp appeared to have commanding leads over incumbent Nicole Melius, Chris Olsen and incumbent Keith Ewing.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The United States has imposed sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities, accusing them of laundering funds from cybercrime and fraud and channeling them into the North’s nuclear weapons program.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
And yet here was Henley, in the heart of the NFL, taking his grief and channeling it into work.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Issue guidance instructing pharmacists and other health care providers to encourage COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to prescribe and administer them.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In ordering the culling, CFIA repeatedly cited the need to prevent damage to the country’s nearly $7 billion poultry industry.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Participants are asked to avoid shopping, streaming, ordering online and purchasing fast food.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Policies that prevent managers from supervising or evaluating their partners are a start.—
Emily Nix,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Though supervising shifts pay more.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The team plans to utilize their new experimental platform to investigate other twisted 2D materials, aiming to identify new candidates for future technologies.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tapestry laid out its new strategic vision in September, aiming to build Coach to a $10 billion business by widening the definition of its target audience and essentially going after everybody who might conceivably buy a handbag, not just the people who bought one last year.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mike Vrabel has breathed life into the New England Patriots, guiding them to a 7-2 start while riding a six-game winning streak despite fielding a roster that still has its fair share of deficiencies.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Mamdani, 34, is a charismatic socialist who has limited experience in the private sector and seems utterly unconcerned about his guiding philosophy’s long track record of creating misery.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet another was a forum for people who, like me, had left a highly controlling religious denomination.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
As some fans got older, Edward's obsession with Bella seemed more controlling than swoonworthy.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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