Definition of directionnext
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as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a life that seemed to lack any direction other than the mindless pursuit of empty pleasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in trend
a prevailing or general movement or inclination some older people worry about the overall direction that political discourse has taken lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of direction Iranian media said the destroyers turned around after being confronted by the IRGC, which reportedly launched a drone in the direction of the destroyers. Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 May 2026 But Fanny never quite wrote songs that reached in that direction. Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 3 May 2026 Too bad that too many states are going in the opposite direction. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026 Shayk’s Met Gala shoes have usually done some of the work of pushing the look in one direction or another. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • But when cooking them at home, detour from the package instructions.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 May 2026
  • His book is both an instruction guide and a primer.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Breaking Barriers met or exceeded most benchmarks set by the California Board of State and Community Corrections, including goals for referrals, case management, employment placements and housing assistance, according to the research.
    City News Service, Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • Taking the time to research and select roses for our gardens that are disease resistant and not susceptible hosts is our best management tool.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Values act as both a compass and a driving force, pointing you toward the right goals and motivating you to pursue them.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Alignment lasers and the ship’s gyro-compass ensured the rotors were plumb and correctly oriented.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY.
    Kate Perez, USA Today, 4 May 2026
  • The current trend in the Premier League is for players in that mould to push up, to press, to make runs into attack, and to provide goalscoring qualities too.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • An Uber Eats delivery driver was shot while picking up an order outside a Chinese takeout joint in Brooklyn on Friday, cops said.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • Once leading the series 3-1, the Magic will have to rally in a win-or-go home Game 7 on the road Sunday in order to advance out of the first round for the first time since 2010.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • His grandfather’s illustrations of Indian history and culture adorn India’s constitution; the iconic four-lion emblem that is the government’s official letterhead and is found on the cover of each Indian passport was designed by one of his students under his supervision.
    Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • The mall proposed a parental supervision rule, banning unaccompanied minors during peak holiday business hours.
    Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • This frustrating bureaucratic situation has been part of California’s landscape for 50-plus years and there’s been no hope to rein in the abuses, but the tide seems to be turning following a variety of court cases and legislative efforts to limit the commission’s powers.
    Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
  • The suit also cites the Disney-Fox deal and the Amazon-MGM merger as evidence that the industry is facing a tide of consolidation that must be stopped.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • My worry is edicts from Hartford.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While many edicts are necessary to protect public safety, many more are redundant, wasteful and anti-competitive, piling on unnecessary costs and stymieing innovation.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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