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

Styler would break into fiction feature directing in 2018 with Freak Show, an adaptation of James St James’ best-selling novel, starring Bette Midler and Alex Lawther, before returning to documentary in 2023 with Posso Entrare? — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026

Lee earned nominations for writing and directing, becoming the first Asian creator to secure multiple Emmy nominations across writing, directing and producing categories for the same series. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Lee was personally nominated for both writing and directing, becoming the first Asian creator to secure multiple Emmy nominations across writing, directing and producing categories for the same series. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

At one point, Steven Spielberg was slated to produce the film, with Martin Scorsese directing. — Andrew Buss, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026

Next year’s Super Bowl halftime show will air on ESPN, ABC and Disney+, with Roc Nation once again executive producing the show and Hamish Hamilton directing. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026

Roc Nation will executive produce the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Can Villeneuve, after four nominations for directing, writing, and producing, get the best-director Oscar that has always eluded him? — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Prior to Jakobson, filmmaker Elia Kazan lived in the 20-foot-wide abode while directing East of Eden (1955) and Splendor in the Grass (1961). — Demetrius Simms For Robb Report, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Avildsen brought the movie in on time and went on to win the Oscar for directing. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

They are joined by new recurring cast member Philipa Soo as Scarlett, a theatre artist who is guest directing an original play at the college’s drama department. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Thirdly, directing co-investment in field-level infrastructure, by co-funding farmer field schools, bio-input units and water management. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026

By directing them toward customer experience, product innovation or new revenue opportunities, initial efficiency gains can fund the next wave of adoption. — Preeti Singh, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

The development is an early step toward aircraft that could operate without pilots onboard or continuously directing their movements from the ground. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Karson, who started out as an actor, graduated from Cal State Northridge and began his directing career on commercials and documentaries in Australia. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

After directing her toward Valmiki’s hermitage, Lakshmana departs, lamenting the painful duty imposed upon him. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026