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
Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The movie touts a female team behind the camera including Vanessa Caswill (Love at First Sight, Little Women mini-series) directing, Hoover and Lauren Levine adapting and producing, Gina Matthews and Robin Mulcahy Fisichella as EPs.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
The initiative targets filmmakers at a key transition point in their careers — after landing an initial episodic directing opportunity but before becoming consistent, repeat hires in the industry.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Aperture’s Goldworm is producing Hannibal at Netflix with Denzel Washington attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing and Alpha at Netflix with Taron Egerton starring.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The deputy chief directs area commanders in planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating all investigative efforts under their geographic area of responsibility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Zhao became only the second woman to be nominated twice for best directing, following her win in 2021 for Nomadland.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Historically, White House officials have taken pains to avoid any appearance of being involved in, or directing, criminal investigations undertaken by the Justice Department and the FBI.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
He's also done some TV directing with The Boys and Black Mirror, among others.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Powerful security bodies such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are likely directing wartime strategy regardless of Mojtaba’s presence.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Davis went out on a limb and predicted the film could ultimately win best picture and make a strong showing across several categories, including directing, acting and crafts.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
The sequel marks the first project out of the exclusive multi-year writing and directing deal across animation.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Just days before Kpop Demon Hunters is expected to be golden at the Oscars, Netflix has closed deals for directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans to return for the sequel as part of a new, multi-year writing and directing pact.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
In the first committeeperson race since Keith Pekau lost control his bid for reelection as Orland Park mayor, two candidates face off in hopes of directing how the Republican Party moves forward in Orland Township.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
During a recent interview on The New York Times’ podcast The Interview, Gyllenhaal discussed directing her first major studio film and the test screenings the movie underwent.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Your car acts as a Faraday cage, directing the electricity around you and protecting you.
—Brandi D. Addison, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
The 98th Academy Awards will feature 24 competitive categories spanning acting, directing, best picture, and technical achievements, including the best casting category.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The movie touts a female team behind the camera including Vanessa Caswill (Love at First Sight, Little Women mini-series) directing, Hoover and Lauren Levine adapting and producing, Gina Matthews and Robin Mulcahy Fisichella as EPs.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
The initiative targets filmmakers at a key transition point in their careers — after landing an initial episodic directing opportunity but before becoming consistent, repeat hires in the industry.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Aperture’s Goldworm is producing Hannibal at Netflix with Denzel Washington attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing and Alpha at Netflix with Taron Egerton starring.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The deputy chief directs area commanders in planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating all investigative efforts under their geographic area of responsibility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Zhao became only the second woman to be nominated twice for best directing, following her win in 2021 for Nomadland.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Historically, White House officials have taken pains to avoid any appearance of being involved in, or directing, criminal investigations undertaken by the Justice Department and the FBI.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
He's also done some TV directing with The Boys and Black Mirror, among others.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
The second order would aim to streamline the mortgage process, directing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to change its mortgage guidelines so that smaller banks could engage in more lending.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Powerful security bodies such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are likely directing wartime strategy regardless of Mojtaba’s presence.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Davis went out on a limb and predicted the film could ultimately win best picture and make a strong showing across several categories, including directing, acting and crafts.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
The sequel marks the first project out of the exclusive multi-year writing and directing deal across animation.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Just days before Kpop Demon Hunters is expected to be golden at the Oscars, Netflix has closed deals for directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans to return for the sequel as part of a new, multi-year writing and directing pact.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
In the first committeeperson race since Keith Pekau lost control his bid for reelection as Orland Park mayor, two candidates face off in hopes of directing how the Republican Party moves forward in Orland Township.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
During a recent interview on The New York Times’ podcast The Interview, Gyllenhaal discussed directing her first major studio film and the test screenings the movie underwent.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Your car acts as a Faraday cage, directing the electricity around you and protecting you.
—Brandi D. Addison, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
With his unmistakable voice and commanding presence, Dance has left his mark on everything from and Alien 3 (1992) and Michael Collins (1996) to Game of Thrones (2011–2015) and The Crown (2019–2020).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Before Tuesday night, Konate had looked much more composed and commanding.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone channeling the great novelist’s sensibilities in 2026 must see Jane Austen’s Period Drama as far more than another bloody mash-up lark.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Virginia stared its disappointment dead in the eye in the offseason, channeling it to fuel a run to the school’s first national championship.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement to ProPublica, the CDIA highlighted that a notice instructing consumers to first dispute directly had been present in the CFPB complaint portal briefly around 2012.—
Joel Jacobs,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Udvardy, 27, received a message from a phone number with a United Kingdom country code, instructing her to lose a match at a tournament one rung below the main tour.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The regime has taken every precaution to dissuade would-be rioters, establishing military checkpoints and ordering violent crackdowns on the slightest actions against the state authorities.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Menin said that Rubio’s attorney, Roger Asmar, offered to cure the issue within the hour, but the judged denied him that opportunity, ordering his client be deported back to his home country of Venezuela.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Theo is an audio-journalism veteran, having started her career at NPR as a fellow and rising to supervising producer of All Things Considered.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Chona Kasinger | Bloomberg | Getty Images Microsoft said Thursday that Rajesh Jha, the software vendor’s highest-ranking executive supervising Office, is retiring in July after more than 35 years at the company.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The administration is aiming to complete its Section 301 investigations before the 10% duties expire.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last month, the district reopened applications to the 14-member Black Student Achievement Committee — tasked with guiding implementation — despite originally planning to launch it in the fall.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Arnaud Desplechin may be regarded as one of France’s quintessential auteurs, but American cinema has long been a guiding force in his imagination.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
To protect its incorporation business, Delaware responded by enacting legislation to give controlling shareholders more latitude under the state’s laws.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 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 20 Mar. 2026.
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