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

Wild Horse Nine marks McDonagh’s first film since The Banshees of Inisherin, which was nominated for nine Oscars in 2023 including for directing, writing and Best Picture. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Trier was also awarded for directing, as well as his screenplay written with longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

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

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

Verb

The other woman found a Mint Hill police officer directing traffic in the 10300 block of Idlewild Road and reported the incident. — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

As more officers arrived, Kelly began directing the response, assigning priority to the most critically injured. — Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

At least one misconfigured site is directing visitors, human or AI, to live malware. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

The pond leveler prevents flooding that would normally be caused by a beaver dam by directing the water to the other side of the structure rather than backing the stream up and onto banks. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Seven nominations — five for writing, two for directing — and no win yet. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Originally, Blair and Orr imagined the latter directing Blair as the character of Mark, but their respective roles would shift as time passed. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Speed the Plow, currently in post-production, marks Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Mamet’s return to directing. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

So here are my rankings of the writing and directing nominees for drama, comedy and limited series, ordered from least to best. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026