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
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
The adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel was first set up with Gene Hackman directing and potentially starring.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Conclave and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy writer Peter Straughan is adapting the books, with Tom Shankland (House of Guinness, The Leopard) directing.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Keeping yourself occupied with acting, directing, and different projects?
—Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
Gray’s ability to manage the demands of writing, directing, and performing in the same production is evident throughout.
—Amy Reyes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
The only time Eszterhas ever came close to directing came at the behest of Steven Spielberg on an extremely unlikely would-be collaboration.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Amid such a tumult of exertion and indulgence, the art of directing may seem like an afterthought or a footnote to the sheer volume of creative work that occurs even when the camera isn’t rolling.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
This can be done by directing water into soil or gravel, and creating a slight slope or grade away from your home flat surfaces.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
The action follows an executive order issued last year directing federal agencies to begin the reclassification process, which typically unfolds over several years and involves scientific review, interagency coordination and rulemaking procedures.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
At the same time, Republicans cleared a key hurdle toward fully funding DHS − while also directing more money to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, both top priorities for Republicans.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Each trap includes a funnel directing insects into a glass collection jar.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
While the more senior controller was coordinating the United emergency response, the other controller took over directing vehicles on the ground while continuing to authorized takeoffs and landings.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Francis Lawrence returns to helm the new movie after directing the four original Hunger Games and 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Once a creditor clears the legal prerequisites, nothing prevents them from simultaneously directing a writ to your employer to garnish your wages and a separate writ to your bank to freeze the cash in your account.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
The series will additionally vie for directing and comedy, with the official selections still to be determined.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
The adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel was first set up with Gene Hackman directing and potentially starring.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Conclave and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy writer Peter Straughan is adapting the books, with Tom Shankland (House of Guinness, The Leopard) directing.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Keeping yourself occupied with acting, directing, and different projects?
—Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
Gray’s ability to manage the demands of writing, directing, and performing in the same production is evident throughout.
—Amy Reyes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
The only time Eszterhas ever came close to directing came at the behest of Steven Spielberg on an extremely unlikely would-be collaboration.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Amid such a tumult of exertion and indulgence, the art of directing may seem like an afterthought or a footnote to the sheer volume of creative work that occurs even when the camera isn’t rolling.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
The agency did not directly address whether the transition could affect service continuity, instead directing questions about services to the county, which will take over many programs.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
This can be done by directing water into soil or gravel, and creating a slight slope or grade away from your home flat surfaces.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
The action follows an executive order issued last year directing federal agencies to begin the reclassification process, which typically unfolds over several years and involves scientific review, interagency coordination and rulemaking procedures.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
At the same time, Republicans cleared a key hurdle toward fully funding DHS − while also directing more money to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, both top priorities for Republicans.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Each trap includes a funnel directing insects into a glass collection jar.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
While the more senior controller was coordinating the United emergency response, the other controller took over directing vehicles on the ground while continuing to authorized takeoffs and landings.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Francis Lawrence returns to helm the new movie after directing the four original Hunger Games and 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Once a creditor clears the legal prerequisites, nothing prevents them from simultaneously directing a writ to your employer to garnish your wages and a separate writ to your bank to freeze the cash in your account.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
And then there’s Bottner’s singing voice; from the deepest corner of his lungs comes a commanding bellow with a low, rattling timbre, like a cross between Bill Callahan and Jason Molina.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The strike was a culmination of a dominant first 30 minutes from Summit FC, which held long, commanding spells of possession to set the tone.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chatting with the peddler Rutherford Selig (Bradley Stryker, enjoyably channeling Deadwood), Bynum casually unzips the surface of reality and dips into the waters below.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Mickey Moniak is channeling his inner Ted Williams, via his grandfather and his father.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to a live feed from The New York Times, within minutes of the third day starting, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had to reproach Musk, instructing him to stop being sarcastic and evasive.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Also, the researchers sometimes caught the Claudes trying to cheat by simply instructing the strong model directly rather than figuring out ways to get the weak teacher to supervise the strong model.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chaotic video obtained by FOX 35 shows local authorities ordering the teens to leave the area as police cars lined the roads.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t leave without ordering the bread pudding for dessert, which is prepared in a deep fryer and is the perfect consistency.—
Anna Katherine Clemmons,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Late in her career, Dale even wound up supervising hospice workers.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
At a Senate confirmation hearing for his new post, senators also questioned him about a role supervising the Weaponization Working Group, a task force established by former Attorney General Pam Bondi to root out alleged instances of political bias in the department under President Joe Biden.—
Andrew Graham
April 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Moyes moved to San Sebastian side Real Sociedad in November 2014, seven months after that unceremonious end to his time at Old Trafford, aiming to rebuild his reputation.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Ukraine produced four million drones last year and is aiming for seven million this year.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to the tourism board, the site is also home to a lighthouse, which has been guiding vessels along the Portuguese coast since 1772.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The auto conglomerate, which owns a three-fourths stake in Porsche, acquired the French hypercar maker in 1998 and has played a crucial role in establishing and guiding its modern identity.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to those close to the family, József was extremely controlling and would often make terrifying threats.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
In girl friend groups, one of the girls is a bit more controlling, a bit more sassy, and a bit more precocious than the other ones.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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