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

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

The Broadway adaptation now sees a book by Dogfight‘s Peter Duchan, with Tony nominee Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club) directing. — Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 27 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

Created by Jonathan Tropper and Cassie Pappas, with Jonathan van Tulleken, Greg Yaitanes, and Jet Wilkinson directing, the limited series was executive produced by Taylor-Joy and Reese Witherspoon through Hello Sunshine. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Everyone guided me along the way with the writing and the directing. — Barry Levitt, Time, 16 July 2026

Abrams is doing it all this time — writing, directing, producing, and even, for the first time, composing the original score. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 July 2026

Trachtenberg, who recently signed a first-look directing and producing deal with Paramount, has experience with feature animation. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

Verb

His numerous additional directing credits include The X-Files, Millennium, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, The Vampire Diaries, Nikita, V, The Flash, Once Upon a Time, and Blue Bloods. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 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

Council members approved a resolution last month directing the city’s LGBTQ Commission to provide a recommendation on how to draft a new ordinance. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

The fine targets Google's self-preferencing in Search, where its own services received prominent placement, and its Play Store policies that restricted developers from directing users to cheaper external purchase options. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Meanwhile, Martinez and six other defendants are set to go to trial in August 2027 for an array of charges including drug trafficking and firearms offenses, as well as directing and carrying out violent crimes on behalf of a criminal organization. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Along came evening ice time in Edina, jerseys, referees, fans and even a few celebrity coaches directing the 4-on-4 action that’s heavy on offense and showmanship, and light on defense and fundamentals. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026

The only free Bowden is Anna, who could easily be charged for directing her sleazy father to plant drugs at Cady’s place. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Staging a great needle drop isn’t the same thing as directing a great movie. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026