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

Series creator Christopher Storer is nominated for directing, and the show also earned nominations for sound mixing, picture editing and cinematography. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

The five categories excised from the show include four from the limited series/movie group — supporting actor and actress, writing and directing. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Deadline first revealed in December that Grande and Jonathan Bailey would reunite in the production, with Tony Award and Olivier Award recipient Marianne Elliott directing. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Creator Dan Erickson’s popular show has stacked up 51 awards for its stellar performances, directing, and cinematography. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Jordan pulled triple duty on the project, directing, producing, and starring in his first release after his Oscar win. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026

Beyond directing, Rauniyar teaches at Boston University and has sat on competition juries at both Locarno and Sydney. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 July 2026

There’s method acting, method directing — and now method dressing. — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

After Rawhide rode off into the sunset, its cast members followed different paths, finding success in acting, directing, politics and beyond. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Verb

In 1992, Congress enacted a federal law directing the service academies and senior war colleges to boost their civilian academic ranks. — James Laporta, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Employers are strategically directing pay to top performers and critical skills, adapting to local market dynamics, and focusing on total rewards, including benefits and employee well-being. — John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Dave McCary is directing The Catch from a script draft by Jen Statsky and Travis Helwig. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2026

The investigation was sparked by New York Times reporting in 2024 that found a former payroll employee at NYSM had accused a manager of directing him to file the inflated time sheets. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026

Prior to studying film and directing short and experimental works, the German filmmaker trained in contemporary dance. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Instead of treating screens as the default tool for instruction, some schools are directing teachers to use laptops only when the technology adds clear instructional value. — Janice Mak, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Onwurah went on to direct a number of features and shorts, in addition to directing for television. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 July 2026

He has regularly been seen leading sessions, directing drills or standing, notebook in hand, under the intense Spanish summer heat, watching his new charges go through their paces. — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 24 July 2026