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

Abrams is doing it all this time — writing, directing, producing, and even, for the first time, composing the original score. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 July 2026

The film was originally set to be directed by Melanie Laurent, but was put on hold during the pandemic and later revived with Morris directing. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 July 2026

Despite multiple neck surgeries, the classical pianist and rock star remains incredibly active, expanding into fashion, directing, and philanthropy. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Trachtenberg, who recently signed a first-look directing and producing deal with Paramount, has experience with feature animation. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

No directing, no cinematography, nothing for some of the most propulsive and densely written episodes of television produced in years. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 July 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, 8 July 2026

The show also scored nominations for production design, casting, directing, cinematography, picture editing, music composition, music supervision, sound editing, sound mixing and writing. — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026

The special is up for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) alongside bids for directing, production design, choreography, technical direction and camerawork, hairstyling and lighting design, among other categories. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 July 2026

Verb

Federal officials have offered little additional information since Thursday’s operation, with each agency directing questions elsewhere or declining to comment. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Guard members, clearly distinguished by their military fatigues, have been seen throughout downtown Memphis on patrols and directing traffic during events. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2026

While the plot is being kept under wraps, sources say the film will be a horror thriller, which excited Feig, who, after successfully directing global hit The Housemaid this past Christmas, wanted to try something even darker. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 July 2026

Both Ritchie and Matthew Read are writers and executive producers on the show, with Ritchie also directing. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 July 2026

His early experiments involved pans of ice hung below pipes directing airflow in patients’ rooms. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them. — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026

On Wednesday, Mayor Mary Sheffield issued an executive order directing all departments and city employees to focus on protecting the public. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 2 July 2026