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
Relevance
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
as in overseeing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in commanding
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of directing
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Wilson is writing, directing, producing, and starring in the project for Live Nation Studios and Future Artists Entertainment.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Universal Television, in association with Jesse Collins Entertainment, is producing Christmas in Rockefeller Center, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serving as executive producers, and Glenn Weiss directing.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Gleeson and Lupe were terrific, the scripts were smart, the directing was excellent, but the audience never came.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
The show received additional nominations and wins for writing, directing, costume design/styling, casting and hair and makeup.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
The entertainment icon, whose career spans dance, choreography, directing, and acting, was honored this month with a doll in Mattel’s Tribute Collection, a series dedicated to celebrating visionaries who have shaped culture.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
Instead, and not for the first time, the auteur’s screenwriting has failed to live up to his location scouting and directing.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The film marks the first directing credit for Robert Wise (later of 1951's The Day the Earth Stood Still and 1965's The Sound of Music glory), since he was uncredited for directing additional sequences in The Magnificent Ambersons two years prior.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Evers is directing the state emergency department to gather details on flood damage to the public sector and some nonprofit organizations.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Spyros Melaris, who is credited with directing Alien Autopsy, has launched legal action against Mindhouse, filing a complaint at England’s Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The longtime Homeland Security official spearheaded the immigration enforcement crackdown in Los Angeles and is seen as directing the agents' aggressive tactics in Chicago.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Carpenter and Hill produced and wrote the screenplay for the sequel, with Rick Rosenthal directing.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Gia Coppola lent her directing talent to the campaign.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Urban Meyer, who went on to win three national titles as a head coach, was also on that staff, directing the wide receivers.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The lead writer for the third season is Chris Brandon (Bloodlands), with Jamie Donouhue (Doctor Who, A Discovery of Witches) and Audrey Cooke (Trigger Point, DI Ray) directing.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Wilson is writing, directing, producing, and starring in the project for Live Nation Studios and Future Artists Entertainment.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Universal Television, in association with Jesse Collins Entertainment, is producing Christmas in Rockefeller Center, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serving as executive producers, and Glenn Weiss directing.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Gleeson and Lupe were terrific, the scripts were smart, the directing was excellent, but the audience never came.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
The show received additional nominations and wins for writing, directing, costume design/styling, casting and hair and makeup.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
The entertainment icon, whose career spans dance, choreography, directing, and acting, was honored this month with a doll in Mattel’s Tribute Collection, a series dedicated to celebrating visionaries who have shaped culture.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
Instead, and not for the first time, the auteur’s screenwriting has failed to live up to his location scouting and directing.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
Educational institutions aren't an exception, especially in 2025, when attackers are actively directing their efforts toward them.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The film marks the first directing credit for Robert Wise (later of 1951's The Day the Earth Stood Still and 1965's The Sound of Music glory), since he was uncredited for directing additional sequences in The Magnificent Ambersons two years prior.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Evers is directing the state emergency department to gather details on flood damage to the public sector and some nonprofit organizations.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Spyros Melaris, who is credited with directing Alien Autopsy, has launched legal action against Mindhouse, filing a complaint at England’s Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The longtime Homeland Security official spearheaded the immigration enforcement crackdown in Los Angeles and is seen as directing the agents' aggressive tactics in Chicago.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Carpenter and Hill produced and wrote the screenplay for the sequel, with Rick Rosenthal directing.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Gia Coppola lent her directing talent to the campaign.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Urban Meyer, who went on to win three national titles as a head coach, was also on that staff, directing the wide receivers.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Verb
-
Others have argued that the restructuring risks channeling profits that should have had a charitable public purpose into the pockets of OpenAI’s venture investors, cofounders, and employees.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Every year, the actor surprises and delights us with her choice of costume, paying homage to Pamela Anderson one year and channeling Queen Amidala the next.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The video shows a bleeding, panicked Lester urgently instructing Randall to bring Oliver his shrimp.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More recently, high-profile firms including Amazon, Apple, Coinbase, Comcast, Google, Lockheed Martin and Meta Platforms have agreed to help finance the ballroom Trump plans for the White House after ordering the building’s East Wing to be demolished.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The brand recommends ordering the heels a half a size larger than your regular shoe size, as the shoe runs half a size smaller.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The children's parents were simply socializing like normal, the man wrote, not supervising the kids at all.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There are currently three officers and one supervising sergeant assigned to Natomas Unified, according to the Police Department.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Adrian Green was shot by Glendale police officers after aiming a gun at them as shown in body-camera footage.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As for the on-court play, Groth said the team will focus on maintaining a fast tempo, aiming for consistent ball control, effective serves and a serve receive that sets them up for success.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But in this case, the Nuggets might not have enough room on their books for Watson next summer, if avoiding the second apron remains a guiding principle for team ownership.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Many feature regions with differing mechanical properties, guiding robots with complex, adaptable movements.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The World Team claimed third place with commanding performances.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And that his personal feelings, as the commanding leader of this organization, could ever be separated from the Patriots’ business?—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the very end of the movie, Bigelow captures a variety of government officials funneling into Raven Rock Mountain Complex, otherwise known as Site R, a military installation with an underground nuclear bunker near Blue Ridge, Pa.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Why bother funneling all of that through Hollywood’s pomp and corniness into a movie that’s only half good?—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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