as in overseeing
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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
Anna Tingley, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
That record-breaking win made Swift the first artist to nab a trophy in the category with a sole directing credit for their own video.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Co-developed and co-directed by Jeremy Ohringer and Amelia Hefferon, original music was written by Ethan Korvne and Emily Hayman, and assistant directed by Aidan McGuire, a senior directing and dramaturgy major.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
But smart casting, witty writing, lively directing, and artful character development have also yielded the rare superhero riff that, as Kovak puts it, finds the human underneath.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Ratner’s real power lay less in directing than in financing, a career built on a proficiency for cultivating relationships with powerful men.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Anderson is currently penning the sequel to the Disney live-action hit Cruella, with Emma Stone starring and producing, Craig Gillespie directing and Marc Platt and Kristin Burr producing.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
In addition to those nominations, he was nominated 12 other times at the Oscars and won three Golden Globe Awards for acting and directing.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The filmmaker had initially planned to focus just on directing, but then the actress cast as the film’s fourth lead had to drop out.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Beginning Sunday, airports will have videos and signage with QR codes directing travelers to the ConfirmID website.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
When Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers, and Daboll was directing the Bills’ offense, Daboll would give him the cold shoulder.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Abbott has taken preemptive action against the New World screwworm threat by directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Mark Mylod is executive producing and directing multiple episodes of the series, produced by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros Television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Sheffield issued an executive order directing the assessor's office to build new standards to promote transparency and ensure assessment practices are equitable.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
By the time the script did circle back, Wilde had embarked on a career in directing with the films Booksmart and Don’t Worry Darling.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
The witness said the man who was shot dead, Alex Pretti, was directing traffic before the altercation with the agents.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
The creative has also dipped her foot into directing, working most closely with her fiancé, musician Finneas O’Connell.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
That record-breaking win made Swift the first artist to nab a trophy in the category with a sole directing credit for their own video.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Co-developed and co-directed by Jeremy Ohringer and Amelia Hefferon, original music was written by Ethan Korvne and Emily Hayman, and assistant directed by Aidan McGuire, a senior directing and dramaturgy major.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
But smart casting, witty writing, lively directing, and artful character development have also yielded the rare superhero riff that, as Kovak puts it, finds the human underneath.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Ratner’s real power lay less in directing than in financing, a career built on a proficiency for cultivating relationships with powerful men.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Anderson is currently penning the sequel to the Disney live-action hit Cruella, with Emma Stone starring and producing, Craig Gillespie directing and Marc Platt and Kristin Burr producing.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
In addition to those nominations, he was nominated 12 other times at the Oscars and won three Golden Globe Awards for acting and directing.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The filmmaker had initially planned to focus just on directing, but then the actress cast as the film’s fourth lead had to drop out.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
The city’s Mayor Brandon Johnson on Saturday signed an executive order directing city police to investigate and document alleged misconduct by federal immigration officers with an eye toward prosecution.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Beginning Sunday, airports will have videos and signage with QR codes directing travelers to the ConfirmID website.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
When Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers, and Daboll was directing the Bills’ offense, Daboll would give him the cold shoulder.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Abbott has taken preemptive action against the New World screwworm threat by directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Mark Mylod is executive producing and directing multiple episodes of the series, produced by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros Television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Sheffield issued an executive order directing the assessor's office to build new standards to promote transparency and ensure assessment practices are equitable.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
By the time the script did circle back, Wilde had embarked on a career in directing with the films Booksmart and Don’t Worry Darling.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
The witness said the man who was shot dead, Alex Pretti, was directing traffic before the altercation with the agents.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
After spending the last months of 2025 traveling to Italy and Japan with her family, Gabrielle Union is getting back to business with a power suit and commanding pumps in New York.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Arsenal fell behind to a Colby Bishop goal after just three minutes, but recovered to complete a commanding victory.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Conveying quiet luxury requires channeling a certain palette of hues and tones to match that mood.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In this case, that meant channeling Looney Tunes (hence the sticks of dynamite), using Wes Anderson-style whip pans, and having Big Poe run Saint Chroma over with his car.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The same day, Secretary of State Cord Byrd, a DeSantis appointee, sent a letter to all 67 county supervisors of elections instructing them to implement candidate qualifying rules that only apply in a year in which the Legislature redraws congressional districts.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, the $205 billion bank sent out a memo introducing required AI training to 175,000 staffers across 80 locations—instructing them particularly in prompting—Citi confirmed with Fortune.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the weeks leading up his 2024 election, Nanos reportedly placed his opponent Lappin, a lieutenant at the Pima County Jail, on administrative leave, ordering her not to discuss the reasoning for his decision.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Futuristic robot figurines Kio and Min-ee are self-ordering kiosks and drive-thru menu displays, while X-Ch4ng3 is the Point-of-Sale system where customers pay.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a producer, executive producer or supervising producer, Keller’s credits include 24 episodes of The Pretender, Boomtown, 17 episodes of Blue Bloods and the 2017 documentary King Cohen.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Additionally, Dropout staffer Ebony Elaine Hardin has been promoted from supervising producer to director of production.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alcaraz is aiming to be the youngest ever to win titles at all four Grand Slams.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Quiet healing calls as compassionate Venus redirects lucky Jupiter, guiding your 12th House of Solitude to coexist with your 5th House of Parties.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The music and sub-beat are calming, as is the soft female voice guiding me quietly through a meditation.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The podcast paints Jordan as an increasingly controlling and abusive on-and-off-again boyfriend of Arceneaux's who at one point gave her three pages of rules to follow, like sharing social media passwords and her location.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Rousseau is a notoriously controlling and meticulous leader, obsessed with optics and strict about the physical fitness of his members.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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