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
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 18 June 2026
Coogler won the Oscar this year for writing Sinners, which also received a nomination for his directing as well as in Best Picture.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026
Diversity in last year’s streaming films followed the same downward trend as theatrical releases, a new study found, with the percentage of people of color directing, writing and leading films diminishing.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
This production is still built on research, writing, directing, editing, sound, rhythm, and craftsmanship.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 17 June 2026
In the years since Boy Meets World ended, Strong has built a varied career that includes film, directing, writing and voice acting.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
In December 2025, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York charged Guerrero Flores with ordering, directing, and facilitating acts of terrorism within the United States.
—Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Production began in November 1995, with Stiller directing and playing dual roles in a Menendez brother-esque subplot.
—Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Producing, writing, composing, directing, acting.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
Even though 2025 writing/directing nominees Hacks, Abbott, and The Bear should all draw plenty of support once again, both the Writing for a Comedy and Directing for a Comedy categories have recognized at least one first-year show in 11 of the last 12 years.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
With its violent and disgusting script, Se7en defied Hollywood conventions and was a perfect match for David Fincher, who was then known for directing Alien 3 (1992) along with gritty and inventive music videos.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Founders are encouraged to embrace agentic engineering by directing AI agents for projects, learning from their limitations, and prioritizing the underlying AI model's quality.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Dylan Clark, an up-and-comer out of the YouTube space, is directing the film for Lionsgate and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, with production slated for fall.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 June 2026
That hasn't stopped him from trying to get an allocation, especially given that SpaceX is directing an unusually high amount of shares to retail.
—Sean Conlon,yun Li, CNBC, 12 June 2026
The state attorneys union filed a lawsuit against departments on Friday, arguing that California agencies did not comply with the state’s signature environmental law when directing workers to return to government offices, which will result in more carbon emissions from commuters.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
The screening was followed by a Q&A with the queen of pop herself, alongside directing duo TORSO, otherwise known as David Toro and Solomon Chase.
—Karla Cote, Variety, 6 June 2026
Noun
The 2026 Black Reel TV Awards aka Bolts — celebrating excellence in television across comedy, drama, limited series, TV movies, documentaries, variety programming, acting, directing, writing, music and technical achievement — will be handed out August 17.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 18 June 2026
Coogler won the Oscar this year for writing Sinners, which also received a nomination for his directing as well as in Best Picture.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026
Diversity in last year’s streaming films followed the same downward trend as theatrical releases, a new study found, with the percentage of people of color directing, writing and leading films diminishing.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
This production is still built on research, writing, directing, editing, sound, rhythm, and craftsmanship.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 17 June 2026
In the years since Boy Meets World ended, Strong has built a varied career that includes film, directing, writing and voice acting.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
In December 2025, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York charged Guerrero Flores with ordering, directing, and facilitating acts of terrorism within the United States.
—Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Production began in November 1995, with Stiller directing and playing dual roles in a Menendez brother-esque subplot.
—Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Producing, writing, composing, directing, acting.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Verb
Miami-Dade commissioners Natalie Orbis and Roberto Gonzalez passed a resolution in January directing the county mayor’s office to produce a report on whether the buses were actually a benefit for residents’ wallets and health – and the environment.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
Even though 2025 writing/directing nominees Hacks, Abbott, and The Bear should all draw plenty of support once again, both the Writing for a Comedy and Directing for a Comedy categories have recognized at least one first-year show in 11 of the last 12 years.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
With its violent and disgusting script, Se7en defied Hollywood conventions and was a perfect match for David Fincher, who was then known for directing Alien 3 (1992) along with gritty and inventive music videos.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Founders are encouraged to embrace agentic engineering by directing AI agents for projects, learning from their limitations, and prioritizing the underlying AI model's quality.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Dylan Clark, an up-and-comer out of the YouTube space, is directing the film for Lionsgate and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, with production slated for fall.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 June 2026
That hasn't stopped him from trying to get an allocation, especially given that SpaceX is directing an unusually high amount of shares to retail.
—Sean Conlon,yun Li, CNBC, 12 June 2026
The state attorneys union filed a lawsuit against departments on Friday, arguing that California agencies did not comply with the state’s signature environmental law when directing workers to return to government offices, which will result in more carbon emissions from commuters.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
The screening was followed by a Q&A with the queen of pop herself, alongside directing duo TORSO, otherwise known as David Toro and Solomon Chase.
—Karla Cote, Variety, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Adjective
-
Versant will become a minority, non-controlling investor in the company.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
ByteDance keeps a non-controlling stake to comply with federal law.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The market has long recognized the significance of Gormley’s work, with the sculptures in the exhibition commanding prices ranging from £250,000 to £975,000.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2026
-
However, her personable commanding officer Majid (Shafi al-Harthi) sees the value in her perspective when a high school student’s body turns up in the desert, and Nawal discerns clues from details which the policemen overlook, from the girl’s manicure to the embroidery on her abaya.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead, they’re designed for the stylish spectators in the stands (or the bars) — and perhaps those channeling the effortless glamour of the game’s most famous WAGs.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
-
Now, Porter is channeling that gratitude into his return to the stage in New York City Center's Encores!—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Ford alleges the firm intentionally slowed down its clients’ cases to drive up their billable hours, instructing drivers not to communicate with Ford and pushing them toward filing a lawsuit.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Japanese antitrust officials periodically make high-profile raids to protect fair competition, such as one on Google, instructing it to fix its advertising search restrictions allegedly affecting Yahoo in the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Here are straight answers to the questions people ask most before ordering an at-home microbiome test.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
-
This new guidance moves beyond just coffee, soda, water and food leftover containers and will allow additional forms of reuse, like permitting customers to use their own multi-use containers at salad bars or when ordering food from a food truck if the container is clean and sanitized.—
Kelley Dennings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
As the investigation continues, authorities are using the tragedy to urge parents to prioritize water safety by supervising young children, learning CPR and keeping emergency equipment on hand.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Mark Montefiore is executive producer, with Max Wolfond serving as supervising producer and Logan Midroni as producer for New Metric Media.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Apple is aiming to shift Siri from an assistant that answers questions to a critical tool across the iPhone’s software.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
Despite return-to-office mandates aiming to restore culture and trust, global employee engagement has plummeted, indicating proximity doesn't guarantee belonging.—
Belonging Forum,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
That document will be the guiding plan that sets the DDA's priorities into the future.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Technology plays a guiding role, steering members towards strategies and treatments which befit their lifestyle, behaviors and routine.—
Nick Scott,
Robb Report,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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