as in overseeing
Related Words
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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
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Their directing is relentless, inventive, and unforgettable.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
An eighth Paranormal Activity film is currently expected to arrive on May 21, 2027, with James Wan producing and Ian Tuason directing.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The project continues a busy stretch for Wolfhard, who late last year wrapped his multi-year run Stranger Things and has steadily expanded his work across film, directing and music.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 11 May 2026
Beyond acting and directing, McKidd is also focused on expanding his production company, Ferryman Films, which recently signed a deal with STV Studios.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Here’s What to ExpectVariety‘s TV Week is this week, bringing together top talent across directing, writing, acting, and producing for a series of intimate, high-impact experiences.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 4 May 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
Keeping yourself occupied with acting, directing, and different projects?
—Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
This technique expedites growth, produces larger fruit, and leads to earlier harvests by directing the plant's energy to the main vine and developing cucumbers rather than unnecessary foliage.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
From directing to forming this little internet comedy group with a group of friends.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Behind The Scenes The directing duties for the Part 2 of One Hundred Years of Solitude are split between Laura Mora, who helmed episodes 1, 2, 5, 6 and the Grand Finale, and Carlos Moreno, who directed episodes 3, 4 and 7.
—Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term directing federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of babies born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 May 2026
The day after Polis’ announcement, someone also launched a website calling for his impeachment and directing people to call lawmakers.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Reid Carolin is directing the film and wrote the script alongside Jason Keller and Bryan Johnson.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Noun
Pre-production on the pic is has begun, with Tan overseeing the action design in collaboration with a fight choreographer and Roel Reiné (Classified) directing.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Their directing is relentless, inventive, and unforgettable.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
An eighth Paranormal Activity film is currently expected to arrive on May 21, 2027, with James Wan producing and Ian Tuason directing.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The project continues a busy stretch for Wolfhard, who late last year wrapped his multi-year run Stranger Things and has steadily expanded his work across film, directing and music.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 11 May 2026
Beyond acting and directing, McKidd is also focused on expanding his production company, Ferryman Films, which recently signed a deal with STV Studios.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Here’s What to ExpectVariety‘s TV Week is this week, bringing together top talent across directing, writing, acting, and producing for a series of intimate, high-impact experiences.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 4 May 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
Keeping yourself occupied with acting, directing, and different projects?
—Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
The council voted to continue the item to a June meeting, directing staff to return with conditions addressing those concerns baked into any loan agreement.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
This technique expedites growth, produces larger fruit, and leads to earlier harvests by directing the plant's energy to the main vine and developing cucumbers rather than unnecessary foliage.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
From directing to forming this little internet comedy group with a group of friends.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Behind The Scenes The directing duties for the Part 2 of One Hundred Years of Solitude are split between Laura Mora, who helmed episodes 1, 2, 5, 6 and the Grand Finale, and Carlos Moreno, who directed episodes 3, 4 and 7.
—Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term directing federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of babies born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 May 2026
The day after Polis’ announcement, someone also launched a website calling for his impeachment and directing people to call lawmakers.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Reid Carolin is directing the film and wrote the script alongside Jason Keller and Bryan Johnson.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
Mitchell torched the Pistons’ hopes for a commanding series lead while tying a postseason record with 39 second-half points.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Cole, a contractor who specializes in building restaurants, is the Lexington Minute Men's captain commanding.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Pair this with leather sandals and just the right bangle for channeling Italian style.—
Nneya Richards,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
-
Sarah Pidgeon, the actress who portrayed Bessette Kennedy in the show, has also been channeling the icon’s style.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
In each study, researchers observed participants over time rather than instructing them to consume a specific amount of legumes or soy.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
19 May 2026
-
Other footage showed Israeli forces on speedboats approaching and instructing the activists to move to the front of the boat.—
Suzan Fraser,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The United States charged Castro with four counts of murder, accusing him of ordering Cuban military jets in 1996 to shoot down civilian planes flown by a Cuban-exile aid group and killing four people aboard.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
-
When these categories sit side by side without ordering, the paper becomes loud but not useful.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
As more robotics are deployed, work has evolved and focuses more on supervising robots and working closely with vendors on capturing data and insights from software and artificial intelligence that’s built into the hardware systems.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
-
During that time frame, visitors, who are 17 or younger, must be accompanied by a parent or a supervising adult, who is at least 21.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Simmons uses his inside right hand to punch, aiming for the V of the defender’s neck while keeping his outside left hand firm to gauge where the rusher is looking to go.—
PJ Green
May 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2026
-
But a pandemic-era program is helping to keep it afloat as inflation worsens, while also aiming to create a new generation of seafood lovers.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The organization also said Cuban authorities did not make any attempt to deal with the planes through some other means, including contacting them over the radio or guiding them out of the area.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
The leaders who embody and commit to these principles will stand a better chance at guiding their teams into the future.—
Eddy Azad,
Forbes.com,
20 May 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 25 May. 2026.
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