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

The show won seven Emmys this year, including for writing, directing, technical direction, lighting, and editing. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

More likely is that Vince Gilligan, at long last, could win his first individual Emmy for either writing or directing. — Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

The production took home the coveted award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), along with technical wins for directing, music direction, choreography, sound mixing, lighting design, and technical direction/camerawork. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

The series scored five Emmys for directing, writing, lighting, editing and technical direction at a ceremony earlier this month. — Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The actor’s credits also include writing, directing, and starring in the teen crime drama films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood from 2006 to 2016. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

The series also won honors for its production design, cinematography, editing, costuming, and directing. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2026

The Bad Bunny halftime show also won outstanding directing for a variety special. — Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

The project is being executive produced by Grammy-winning music and film producer Vassal Benford, with Hamid and Camille Torabpour and their Winter State Entertainment producing and Leslie Small directing. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group al-Qaida. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

At its height, the group controlled vast territory and millions of people in Iraq and Syria while encouraging or directing attacks far beyond its borders. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

No one expects the Seahawks to pivot away from the ground game while Drew Lock is directing the offense. — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group Al Qaeda. — Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Best known for directing the massively popular high-fantasy anime The Vision of Escaflowne, Kazuki Akane’s most recent major work is a charming series about middle-schoolers trying to whip their struggling soft-tennis boys’ club into shape. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Kent is currently directing a new musical El Alma Al Aire which will open in Madrid, October 2026. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

In addition to starring in the campaign (alongside the duck), Affleck is also directing the spots alongside Pierce. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026