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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
This film, curated by some of the best directors in Colombia – his friends responsible for his legacy – is a great example of his vision for action, horror, fun and amazing directing.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The only time Eszterhas ever came close to directing came at the behest of Steven Spielberg on an extremely unlikely would-be collaboration.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Amid such a tumult of exertion and indulgence, the art of directing may seem like an afterthought or a footnote to the sheer volume of creative work that occurs even when the camera isn’t rolling.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
That’s just how unique directing is.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Apr. 2026
The controversy may have negatively impacted Best Actor Oscar chances for his performance in Josh Safdie’s solo directing effort, Marty Supreme.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Once a creditor clears the legal prerequisites, nothing prevents them from simultaneously directing a writ to your employer to garnish your wages and a separate writ to your bank to freeze the cash in your account.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Deadline first reported last fall that Brown was set to star as the iconic Olympian, with Gia Coppola directing and Ronnie Sandahl writing the script.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
True ran the show from start to finish, directing her mom on camera duties and offering commentary along the way.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Pawel Pawlikowski, who won the directing prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for Cold War, will be in competition with Fatherland, which includes Sandra Hüller among its cast.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026
Mamdani has also spent much of his effort directing New Yorkers’ attention to the nuts and bolts of city government, like filling potholes and enforcing workplace regulations, carting a jumbo calendar to his press conferences across the city to highlight his work in his first stretch of governance.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Prior to Westermann, Richard Armstrong led both the foundation and the New York museum, leaving in 2023 after 15 years of directing the Guggenheim.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Decades later, Diaz, now assistant production manager at La Jolla Playhouse, is directing an adaptation of the play and its sequel for a San Diego church.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
Little information is available about him on the internet but from speaking to those who have worked with him, the Irishman appears to be a bit of a jack of all trades – performing, directing, running a production company and teaching drama in schools.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
This film, curated by some of the best directors in Colombia – his friends responsible for his legacy – is a great example of his vision for action, horror, fun and amazing directing.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The only time Eszterhas ever came close to directing came at the behest of Steven Spielberg on an extremely unlikely would-be collaboration.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Amid such a tumult of exertion and indulgence, the art of directing may seem like an afterthought or a footnote to the sheer volume of creative work that occurs even when the camera isn’t rolling.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
That’s just how unique directing is.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Apr. 2026
The controversy may have negatively impacted Best Actor Oscar chances for his performance in Josh Safdie’s solo directing effort, Marty Supreme.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
Francis Lawrence returns to helm the new movie after directing the four original Hunger Games and 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Once a creditor clears the legal prerequisites, nothing prevents them from simultaneously directing a writ to your employer to garnish your wages and a separate writ to your bank to freeze the cash in your account.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Deadline first reported last fall that Brown was set to star as the iconic Olympian, with Gia Coppola directing and Ronnie Sandahl writing the script.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
True ran the show from start to finish, directing her mom on camera duties and offering commentary along the way.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Pawel Pawlikowski, who won the directing prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for Cold War, will be in competition with Fatherland, which includes Sandra Hüller among its cast.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026
Mamdani has also spent much of his effort directing New Yorkers’ attention to the nuts and bolts of city government, like filling potholes and enforcing workplace regulations, carting a jumbo calendar to his press conferences across the city to highlight his work in his first stretch of governance.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Prior to Westermann, Richard Armstrong led both the foundation and the New York museum, leaving in 2023 after 15 years of directing the Guggenheim.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Decades later, Diaz, now assistant production manager at La Jolla Playhouse, is directing an adaptation of the play and its sequel for a San Diego church.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
The strike was a culmination of a dominant first 30 minutes from Summit FC, which held long, commanding spells of possession to set the tone.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
As with Casemiro, the 33-year-old defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, but this was another commanding display to strengthen his hand in talks over a new one, albeit potentially on reduced terms.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Democrat is accused of participating in a scheme to steal roughly $5 million in federal disaster relief funds and channeling the money into her 2021 congressional campaign.—
WPEC Staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The city’s top brewers, mixologists, and baristas have been quietly turning heads for a decade, the best channeling the unique energy and creative spirits of the desert.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Audio of the exchange captures the controller urgently instructing the smaller aircraft, identified as Skylab 25, to stop before directing the UPS jet to go around.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
LeVota also retroactively implemented a cap on commercial property values by instructing county staff to manually adjust the 2025 assessments of more than 6,200 spaces.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal Court Justice James Stellios ruled in dismissing the appeal that no jurisdiction error was made in 2024 by then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in ordering Duggan's extradition.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Federal Court Justice James Stellios ruled in dismissing the appeal that no jurisdiction error was made in 2024 by the then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in ordering Duggan's extradition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit argues that Magic City's operators, APS Valet and its leadership, and other affiliated entities were negligent in hiring, training and supervising security personnel, and in allowing armed security to operate in areas accessible to the public without proper safeguards.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Rose Bud native will serve a one-year term representing student interests while assisting the council in supervising chapter affairs and aligning local initiatives with national American Society for Public Administration policies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Colorado Avalanche hit the road against the Edmonton Oilers aiming to prolong a six-game road winning streak.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The Bears would contribute $2 billion, with the state aiming to spend about $1 billion, to be repaid through an admissions tax and other local taxes.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Avalon Waterways has culinary cruises that amp it up a notch with samples of regional cuisine, demonstrations, special dinners, and a Master of Wine on board guiding wine and food pairings and tastings.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Crews will continue to work into the night securing the capsule and guiding it back to the Murtha, which is expected to reach Naval Base San Diego early Saturday.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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